Kuala lumpur: Pahang Sultan Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has expressed the view that community service sentences should be strengthened as an alternative approach in dealing with Syariah criminal offences.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, His Royal Highness stated in an article published on the Kesultanan Pahang official portal that such punishment should not be seen solely as retribution but as a tool to encourage reflection, reform behavior, and rehabilitate offenders to become responsible members of society who uphold Islamic values.

"We are now moving towards a new era in Syariah legal development that emphasizes a more progressive and rehabilitative approach," he said. "The alternative punishment is intended for suitable Syariah offences and will be implemented in accordance with existing legal provisions. The approach is aimed at benefiting society while reinforcing the Syariah justice system's role in educating, guiding, and rehabilitating offenders."

The Sultan further expressed hope that ongoing discussions would lead to meaningful and practical decisions that strengthen Syariah justice administration in Pahang.

His Royal Highness delivered these remarks while chairing the 199th Meeting of the Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council. Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah was also present during the meeting.

Additionally, the Sultan congratulated the Pahang Royal Council, the Pahang State Secretary's Office, the Pahang Islamic Religious Department, and the Pahang Syariah Prosecution Department for receiving the SPINE 2026 Excellent Recognition Certificate for Integrity and Governance Management Systems. Al-Sultan Abdullah noted that the recognition was a testament to the state agencies' efforts to strengthen governance, embed integrity, and introduce systematic anti-corruption measures aimed at delivering better services to the people.