Kuala lumpur: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has announced the appointment of former Federal Court judge Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof as a new member of the Shariah Advisory Council (SAC) for a two-year term, effective February 1, 2026.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the central bank stated that the appointment was made in accordance with Section 53(1) of the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 2009. The SAC will now comprise nine members with expertise and experience in shariah, Islamic finance, accounting, audit, and law.

BNM emphasized that the SAC is the highest authority for the ascertainment of Islamic law for Malaysia's Islamic financial business, playing a crucial role in promoting shariah certainty and sustaining public confidence in the Islamic finance industry.

Additionally, the SAC advises BNM on shariah issues related to Islamic financial activities or transactions. The rulings of the SAC serve as a reference for Islamic financial institutions to ensure their business operations comply with shariah principles, and may also serve as a reference for the courts and arbitrators.

Following Zabariah's appointment, the SAC members now include chairman Datuk Prof Dr Ashraf Md Hashim, deputy chairman Prof Dr Engku Rabiah Adawiah Engku Ali, Burhanuddin Lukman, Datuk Setia Dr Anhar Opir, Dr Marjan Muhammad, Dr Ahmad Basri Ibrahim, Prof Dr Amir Shaharuddin, and Dr Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman.