YOUR GUIDE TO THE AMLA

With the amendments to the AMLA (Administration of Muslim Law Act), MUIS' powers will be further enhanced....

BEFORE CORPORATISATION MUIS handles religious matters as well as activities that are commercial in nature such as property development and maintenance.	AFTER MUIS can focus on its core religious function. Activities that have legal and economic risks can now be a assigned to its subsidiary. This will preserve MUIS' religious image and protect it from potentially damaging legal litigation.
HALAL Those who breach the halal certification regulations can be fined up to $5,000 or jailed for three months or both under the 1995 Sale of Food Act and Penal Code.	MUIS can prosecute those who breach the halal certification regulations up to $10,000 or a jail sentence not more than 12 months or both.
HAJ MUIS has been managing pilgrimage matters since 1975 although it is not explicitly stated in the AMLA. It does not have the authority to take firm action such as in cases where the pilgrims' money was used for purposes other than haj management	Haj agents must place the pilgrims' money in a separate account so that it is not misused. MUIS can determine the number of pilgrims handled by haj agents. This will ensure that haj agents do not take on more pilgrims than they can cater for. Those who breach the regulations will be fined up to $10,000 or jailed up to one year or both. In the near future, travel agents may be required to provide pilgrim guides accredited by MUIS.
ACCOUNT MUIS, mosque and wakaf accounts are consolidated and presented as one account.	MUIS, mosque and wakaf accounts will be maintained and audited separately. The audited mosque accounts will be displayed at the mosque premises.
DEVIANT TEACHINGS Spreading deviant teachings is a crime under the Penal Code where the offender can be fined up to $500 and jailed up to six months or both.	Deviant teaching offenders will face heavier punishment, that is a fine up to $2,000 or a prison sentence not more than 12 months or both.
MADRASAH Muslim religious schools are vested in MUIS. But without the rules, MUIS is unable to enforce the vested power. MUIS has the power to accept or reject applications to form a madrasah and to approve the administration of the madrasah.	MUIS has the power to "administer all mosques and Muslim religious schools in Singapore." This includes full-time madrasahs, mosque madrasahs and private institutions. MUIS may make rules to enhance the quality of madrasah education.
WAKAF The status of wakaf properties is unknown as there is no legislation requiring their registration as a wakaf.	The registration of wakaf by trustees will give MUIS the power to administer and supervise the wakaf properties more effectively. MUIS can prevent unauthorised sale of wakaf properties by trustees.It can plan on how best to enhance these properties for the benefit of the Muslim community.WK

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