ABOUT THE BANK
Shariah Advisory Council
The Shariah Advisory Council of Bank Negara Malaysia (SAC) was established in May 1997 as the highest Shariah authority in Islamic finance in Malaysia. The SAC has been given the authority for the ascertainment of Islamic law for the purposes of Islamic banking business, takaful business, Islamic financial business, Islamic development financial business, or any other business, which is based on Shariah principles and is supervised and regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia. As the reference body and advisor to Bank Negara Malaysia on Shariah matters, the SAC is also responsible for validating all Islamic banking and takaful products to ensure their compatibility with the Shariah principles. In addition, it advises Bank Negara Malaysia on any Shariah issue relating to Islamic financial business or transactions of Bank Negara Malaysia as well as other related entities.
In the recent Central Bank of Malaysia Act 2009, the role and functions of the SAC was further reinforced whereby the SAC was accorded the status of the sole authoritative body on Shariah matters pertaining to Islamic banking, takaful and Islamic finance. While the rulings of the SAC shall prevail over any contradictory ruling given by a Shariah body or committee constituted in Malaysia, the court and arbitrator are also required to refer to the rulings of the SAC for any proceedings relating to Islamic financial business, and such rulings shall be binding.
Consisting of prominent Shariah scholars, jurists and market practitioners, members of the SAC are qualified individuals and have vast experience in banking, finance, economics, law and application of Shariah, particularly in the areas of Islamic economics and finance.
Profile of current SAC members

Professor, INCEIF University
SAC member since 2010
Qualifications:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Shariah Law and Practice, International Islamic University Malaysia, (IIUM) 2000
- Ph.D in Islamic Law, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, 1999
- Masters in Fiqh and Usul Fiqh, University of Jordan, Jordan, 1995
- Bachelors in Shariah, Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia, 1991
Professional Experience:
- Professor, INCEIF University (2010 – present)
- Chief Executive Officer, ISRA International Consulting Sdn. Bhd. (2012 – 2023)
Key Appointments:
- Chairman, Shariah Committee of Lembaga Tabung Haji
- Chairman, Shariah Committee of Bursa Malaysia
- Member, Shariah Advisory Council of the Securities Commission Malaysia
- Board Member, Lembaga Tabung Haji
- Board member, Halal Development Corporation (HDC)
- Board member, Express Rail Link (ERL)
- Chairman, Board of Directors, TH Travel and Services Sdn. Bhd.
- Member, Shariah Committee of Persatuan Peladang Kebangsaan
- Member, Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs
- Member, Shariah Committee of Malaysia Waqaf Foundation
- Member, Shariah Committee, Kelantan State Economic Development Corporation
- Member, Waqf Committee, Kelantan Religious Council
- Member, Finance and Investment Committee, Selangor Religious Council
- President, Association of Shariah Advisers in Islamic Finance Malaysia (ASAS)
- Member, Shariah Committee of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM)
- Chairman, Advisory Council of Experts (Shariah), Noor Takaful, Nigeria
- Member, Shariah Committee of Shariah Audit, Islamic Bank of Australia
- Member, Shariah Board of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, United Arab Emirates
- Member, Shariah Committee of IMON International, Tajikistan
- Member, Shariah Committee of Amanat Advisory, Kygryz Republic
- Member, Shariah Committee of WealthWell, Saudi Arabia
- Member, Shariah Committee of AEP Investment Management, Singapore
- Member, Shariah Committee of Standard Chartered Saadiq, UAE

Professor, Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IiBF), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
SAC member since 2006
Qualifications:
- Ph.D in Law, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom, 1998
- Master of Comparative Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), 1993
- Bachelor of Laws (Shariah), LLB(S) (Hons), IIUM, 1991
- Bachelor of Laws, LLB (Hons), IIUM, 1990
Professional Experience:
- Professor, IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIiBF) (2013 – present)
- Lecturer, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws (AIKOL), IIUM (1990 – 2010)
Key Appointments:
- Member, Shariah Advisory Council of the Securities Commission Malaysia
- Member, Shariah Supervisory Council of the Labuan Financial Services Authority
- Member, Shariah Advisory Council of Employee’s Provident Fund (EPF)
- Member, Shariah Board of Labuan Reinsurance (L) Ltd (Labuan Re)
- Member, Shariah Board to Khazanah (for issuance of exchangeable sukuk)
- Member, Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan
- Member, Shariah Committee of Bursa Malaysia
- Council Member, Khadijah International Waqf (L) Foundation, Labuan
- Member, Board of Directors of Awqaf Holdings Berhad

Executive Director of the International Shari’ah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA)
SAC member since 2008
Qualifications:
- Ph.D in Islamic Finance, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, 1995
- Bachelors in Islamic Jurisprudence and Legislation, University of Jordan, Jordan, 1989
Professional Experience:
- Executive Director, ISRA Research Management Centre, INCEIF University (2008 - present)
- Professor, INCEIF University (2008 - present)
- Assistant Professor, International Islamic University Malaysia (1995 - 2008)
Key Appointments:
- Member, Shariah Supervisory Council of the Labuan Financial Services Authority
- Member, Shariah Advisory Committee of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF)
- Member, Shariah Advisory Committee of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB)
- Chairman, Shariah Advisory Committee of Shariah Compliant Fund (SACF), Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB)
- Member, Shariah Committee of Lembaga Tabung Haji
- Member, Joint Wakaf Distribution Committee (JWDC) of Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (MAIWP)
- Member, Financial Regulation Advisory Council of Experts (FRACE) of Central Bank of Nigeria
- Member, Shariah Supervisory Board of Bank Musqat Meethaq Islamic Bank
- Member, Shariah Advisory Council of International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM), Bahrain
- Member, Internal Shariah Supervisory Committee of Dubai Islamic Bank
- Member, Shariah Supervision Committee of First Abu Dhabi Bank
- Member, Public Interest Monitoring Consultative Committee of the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), Bahrain
- Shariah Board, DDCAP, London

Member, Hajj Advisory Committee, Lembaga Tabung Haji
SAC member since 2013
Qualifications:
- Masters in Fiqh and Usul Fiqh, Al al-Bayt University, Jordan, 2000
- Bachelors in Shariah, Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia, 1993
Professional Experience:
- Head of Takaful Unit, International Shariah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA) (2014 – 2021)
- Researcher, ISRA (2014 – 2021)
- Lecturer, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) (1993 – 2013)
Key Appointments:
- Member, Hajj Advisory Committee of Lembaga Tabung Haji
- Member, Shariah Committee of Koperasi Muslimin Malaysia Berhad
- Member, Shariah Advisory Committee of An-Nur Specialist Hospital
- Member, Shariah Advisory Committee of Tawafuq Consultancy Sdn. Bhd.
- Member, Shariah Committee of Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia (2006 – 2013)
- Member, Shariah Committee of Prudential BSN Takaful (2006 – 2013)

Director, Research Quality Assurance & Publications, ISRA Research Management Centre, INCEIF University
SAC member since 2019
Qualifications:
- Certified Shariah Advisor (CSA), Association of Shariah Advisors in Islamic Finance (ASAS), 2022
- Ph.D in Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), 2006
- Masters in Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, IIUM, 2001
- Bachelors in Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, IIUM, 1998
Professional Experience:
- Director, Research Quality Assurance & Publications, ISRA Research Management Centre, INCEIF University (2021 – present)
- Head, Research Quality Assurance Office, International Shariah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA) (2017 – 2021)
- Director of Research, International Shariah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA) (2013 – 2017)
Key Appointments:
- Member, Shariah Committee of Lotus Bank Limited, Nigeria
- Member, Shariah Committee of Lotus Capital Limited, Nigeria
- Member, Shariah Committee of MBSB Bank Berhad (2010 – 2019)
- Member, Shariah Committee of Maybank Islamic Berhad (2013 – 2019)
- Member, Shariah Committee of Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (2017 – 2019)
- Member, Shariah Committee of RHB Islamic Bank (2011 – 2013)

Mufti of Selangor
SAC member since 2019
Qualifications:
- Ph.D in Fiqh and Usul Fiqh, The World Islamic Sciences and Education University, Jordan, 2015
- Masters in Islamic Philosophy, Cairo University, Egypt, 2006
- Bachelors in Shariah, Al-Azhar University, Egypt, 1999
Professional Experience:
- Mufti of Selangor (2021 – present)
- Lecturer, Islamic Studies Department, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (2007 - present)
- Deputy Mufti of Selangor (2016 - 2021)
Key Appointments:
- Member, Shariah Advisory Council, Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB)
- Member, Hajj Advisory Committee, Lembaga Tabung Haji
- Member, Malaysian Halal Certification Advisory Committee, Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM)
- Deputy Chairman, Shariah Committee of Islamic Accounting Standards, Accountant General’s Department of Malaysia
- Member, Supervisory Committee of Islamic Medication Practice, Ministry of Health Malaysia
- Member, Shariah Advisory Council of SIRIM QAS International Sdn. Bhd.
- Member, Shariah Committee of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (2017 – 2019)
- Member, Shariah Committee of Etiqa Takaful Berhad (2018 – 2019)

Founder and Senior Partner of Zainal Abidin & Co., Advocates and Solicitors
SAC member since 2020
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws, LLB (Hons), University of Singapore, 1979
Professional Experience:
- Founder and Senior Partner, Zainal Abidin & Co., Advocates and Solicitors (1987 – present)
Key Appointments:
- Chairman of Board of Trustees, PADU Corporation Berhad (PADU)
- Chairman of Board of Trustees, Global Humanitarian Fund
- Member of Board of Trustees, For Every Child Foundation Registered
- Chairman, Sime Darby Oils International Limited (2019 – 2022)
- Director, Sime Darby Berhad (2016 – 2017)
- Director, Sime Darby Property Berhad (2016 – 2017)
- Director, Sime Darby Industrial Holdings Sdn. Bhd. (2016 – 2017)
- Director, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (2017 – 2022)
- Director, Malayan Banking Berhad (2009 – 2014)
- Chairman, Maybank Islamic Berhad (2017 – 2020)
- Director, Maybank Islamic Berhad (2010 – 2020)
- Chairman, Maybank Trustees Berhad (2009 – 2017)
- Director, Etiqa Insurance Berhad (2010 – 2016)
- Director, Etiqa Takaful Berhad (2010 – 2017)
- Director, PNB International Limited (2009 – 2017)
- Director, PNB Asset Management (Japan) Company Limited (2009 – 2017)
- Director, PNB-SBI ASEAN Gateway Investment Management Limited (2009 – 2017)
- Director, Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (2019 – 2020)
- Director, SP Setia Berhad (2013 – 2016)
- Director, Lam Soon (M) Berhad (1987 – 2020)

Head of Shariah Management, Permodalan Nasional Berhad
SAC member since 2023
Qualifications:
- Ph.D in Islamic Law, University of Birmingham, 2005
- Master in Fiqh and Usul Fiqh, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), 2001
- Bachelor in Islamic Jurisprudence and Legislation, University of Jordan, 1997
Professional Experience:
- Head of Shariah Management, Permodalan Nasional Berhad (2016 – present)
- Deputy Dean, Kuliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, IIUM (2014 – 2016)
- Associate Professor, Department of Fiqh and Usul Fiqh, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, IIUM (2014 – 2016)
- Head, Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, IIUM (2010 – 2014)
- Assistant Professor, Department of Fiqh and Usul Fiqh, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, IIUM (2005 – 2014)
Key Appointments:
- Member, Board of Directors, ASNB Wakalah Sdn. Bhd.
- Member, Joint Wakaf Distribution Committee ASNB-MAIWP
- Chairman, Shariah Committee of RHB Islamic Bank Berhad (2020 – 2022)
- Chairman, Shariah Committee of Great Eastern Takaful Berhad (2011 – 2016)
- Chairman, Shariah Committee of OSK Investment Bank Berhad (2008 – 2013)
- Member, Shariah Committee of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (2017 – 2022)
- Member, Shariah Committee of Great Eastern Takaful Berhad (2022)
- Member, Shariah Committee of SME Bank (2015 – 2016)
- Member, Shariah Committee of Hong Leong Islamic Bank (2014 – 2016)

Former Judge of the Federal Court
SAC member since 2023
Qualifications:
- Master of Laws, LLM (Public Law), University of Bristol, United Kingdom, 1992
- Bachelor of Laws, LLB (Hons), University of Malaya, 1980
Professional Experience:
- Judge of the Federal Court (2018 – 2022)
- Judge of the Court of Appeal (2013 – 2018)
- Judge of the High Court of Malaya (2009 – 2013)
- Judicial Commissioner of the High Court of Malaya Johor Bahru (2007 – 2009)
Key Appointments:
- Member, Selangor Council of the Royal Court
- Selangor's Representative in National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI), Majlis Raja-Raja
- Adjunct Professor, University of Malaya
- Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya
List of previous SAC members
2023 Meeting Schedule of the Bank's Shariah Advisory Council
| No. | Date | Hijri Date | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
25 January 2023 |
3 Rajab 1444 |
Wednesday |
2:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. |
|
2 |
28 February 2023 |
7 Sha'ban 1444 |
Tuesday |
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
|
3 |
30 March 2023 |
8 Ramadan 1444 |
Thursday |
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
|
4 |
27 April 2023 |
6 Shawwal 1444 |
Thursday |
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
|
5 |
29 May 2023 |
9 Dhu al-Qa'dah 1444 |
Monday |
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
|
6 |
26 June 2023 |
7 Dhu al-Hijjah 1444 |
Monday |
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
|
7 |
31 July 2023 |
13 Muharram 1445 |
Monday |
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
|
8 |
28 August 2023 |
11 Safar 1445 |
Monday |
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
|
9 |
25 September 2023 |
9 Rabi' al-Awwal 1445 |
Monday |
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
|
10 |
31 October 2023 |
16 Rabi' al-Thani 1445 |
Tuesday |
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
|
11 |
30 November 2023 |
16 Jumada al-Awwal 1445 |
Thursday |
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
|
12 |
20 December 2023 |
7 Jumada al-Thani 1445 |
Wednesday |
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
|
Note: Any correspondence to seek the SAC's resolution should be submitted to the SAC Secretariat at least one month prior to the meeting. |

