Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is pleased to announce the reappointment of Sahibus Samahah Dato' Setia Prof. Madya Dr. Haji Anhar Haji Opir, Dr. Marjan Muhammad and Dr. Ahmad Basri Ibrahim as members of the Shariah Advisory Council (SAC) members. These appointments are in accordance with section 53(1) of the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 2009.

With the reappointments, the SAC will comprise seven members with expertise and experience in Shariah, Islamic finance and law. The SAC members are:

1. Prof. Dr. Ashraf Md Hashim (Chairman)
   Professor, INCEIF University
    
2. Prof. Dr. Engku Rabiah Adawiah Engku Ali (Deputy Chair)
   Honorary Professor, Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance, International Islamic University Malaysia
    
3. Datuk Prof. Dr. Mohamad Akram Laldin (Member)
   Professor, INCEIF University
    
4. Encik Burhanuddin Lukman (Member)
   Member of Hajj Advisory Committee, Lembaga Tabung Haji
    
5. Sahibus Samahah Dato' Setia Prof. Madya Dr. Haji Anhar Haji Opir (Member)
   Mufti of Selangor
   Reappointed from 1 November 2024 until 31 October 2026
    
6. Dr. Marjan Muhammad (Member)
   Deputy President Research, INCEIF University
   Reappointed from 1 November 2024 until 31 October 2027
    
7. Dr. Ahmad Basri Ibrahim (Member)
   Head, Shariah Management, Permodalan Nasional Berhad Reappointed from 1 January 2025 until 31 December 2027

BNM also wishes to express its appreciation to Tan Sri Mohd Zawawi Salleh and Encik Zainal Abidin Jamal for their invaluable contributions throughout their tenure. Tan Sri Mohd Zawawi will complete his term of service on the SAC on 31 December 2024, while Encik Zainal Abidin has completed his term of service on 31 October 2024. Both, Tan Sri Mohd Zawawi and Encik Zainal Abidin, contributed immensely to the deliberations of the SAC and towards the overall development of Islamic finance in Malaysia.

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