Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sahibus Samahah Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil as a new member of the Shariah Advisory Council (SAC) for a two-year term, with effect from 1 November 2026. This appointment is in accordance with section 53(1) of the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 2009.

With the new appointment, the SAC will comprise nine members with expertise and experience in Shariah, Islamic finance, accounting and law. The SAC members are:

1. Dato’ Dr. Ashraf Md Hashim (Chairperson)
   Shariah Consultant
    
2. Prof. Dr. Engku Rabiah Adawiah Engku Ali (Deputy Chair)
   Honorary Professor, Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance, International Islamic University Malaysia
    
3. Encik Burhanuddin Lukman (Member)
   Shariah Consultant
    
4. Dr. Marjan Muhammad (Member)
   Deputy President Research, ISRA Institute, INCEIF University
    
5. Dr. Ahmad Basri Ibrahim (Member)
   Head, Shariah Management, Permodalan Nasional Berhad
    
6. Prof. Dr. Amir Shaharuddin (Member)
   Director, Centre for Excellence in Islamic Social Finance, INCEIF University
    
7. Dr. Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman (Member)
   Former Lecturer, International Islamic University of Malaysia and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
    
8. Dato’ Zabariah Mohd Yusof (Member)
   Former Judge, Federal Court
    
9. Sahibus Samahah Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil (New Member)
   Mufti of Federal Territory

The SAC is the highest authority for the ascertainment of Islamic law for purposes of Islamic financial business in Malaysia. It is central in promoting Shariah certainty and sustaining public confidence in the Islamic finance industry. The SAC also advises BNM on Shariah issues relating to Islamic financial activities or transactions of BNM. The rulings of the SAC serve as a reference for Islamic financial institutions in ensuring their business operations comply with Shariah principles. The rulings also serve as a reference for the courts and arbitrators.

BNM also wishes to express its deepest appreciation to Sahibus Samahah Dato’ Setia Dr. Anhar Opir, who completes his service on the SAC on 31 October 2026. Sahibus Samahah Dato’ Setia Dr. Anhar Opir was appointed to the SAC on 1 November 2019.

BNM Governor Dato’ Sri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said, ‘The SAC significantly contributes to Malaysia’s aspirations in Islamic finance. Throughout his tenure, Sahibus Samahah Dato’ Setia Dr. Anhar Opir has been instrumental in enriching SAC’s deliberations through his mastery of classical Islamic texts and sound Shariah reasoning. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for his steadfast commitment and dedication. I also welcome the appointment of Sahibus Samahah Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil as a new member of the SAC and am confident that his expertise and experience will further strengthen the SAC’s role in supporting the advancement of Islamic finance in Malaysia.’

Sahibus Samahah Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil