Some thoughts on resetting the roles and functions of Shariah committees of Islamic banks in Malaysia
Joint Authors
Ahmad, Rubi
Isa, Mansur
Lee, Siew Peng
Basha, Obiyathulla Allah Ismath
Source
ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance
Issue
Vol. 14, Issue 2 (31 Aug. 2022), pp.175-189, 15 p.
Publisher
International Shari'ah Research Academy for Islamic Finance
Publication Date
2022-08-31
Country of Publication
Malaysia
No. of Pages
15
Main Subjects
Financial and Accounting Sciences
Abstract EN
Purpose : The purpose of this study is to understand and evaluate the roles and functions of the Sharīʿah committee (SC) of Islamic banks (IBs) in Malaysia and to recommend a resetting of the scope of responsibilities to enable the SC to effectively respond to current market needs.
Design/methodology/approach : A Likert-type survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to all available SC members through e-mails and online surveys as well as self-administered questionnaires.
At the end of the survey, 87 useable questionnaires were collected from 161 SC members, representing a 54% response rate.
Findings :This study finds that most SC members have the necessary Sharīʿah qualification, and they are mostly academics with doctoral degrees.
However, there is a noticeable lack of diversity in the composition of experts in the committees.
Respondents indicate that their main functions are to ensure Sharīʿah compliance of bank operations and product offerings.
This is of course consistent with their stated functions as outlined in the Bank Negara Malaysia's Sharīʿah Governance Policy Document (BNM, 2019).
The study finds that SCs are not involved in product development, nor responsible for financial performance.
Respondents indicate three ways to enhance the role of SCs: improving banking knowledge of the members, more engagement with the board of directors (BoDs) and broadening the functions of SCs.
Practical implications : This study highlights two policy implications.
First, there is a strategic need for IBs to consider having a diversity of expertise in the SCs while maintaining the Sharīʿah experts as core members.
Second, this study recommends a reset of the scope of duties of the SC to include three new areas: risk management, product development and financial performance.
Originality/value : This study evaluates the current functions of the SC of IBs in Malaysia and provides suggestions for improvement in the composition of the committee and in the scope of duties of SCs based on contemporary needs.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Isa, Mansur& Lee, Siew Peng& Basha, Obiyathulla Allah Ismath& Ahmad, Rubi. 2022. Some thoughts on resetting the roles and functions of Shariah committees of Islamic banks in Malaysia. ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance،Vol. 14, no. 2, pp.175-189.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1429454
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Ahmad, Rubi…[et al.]. Some thoughts on resetting the roles and functions of Shariah committees of Islamic banks in Malaysia. ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance Vol. 14, no. 2 (2022), pp.175-189.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1429454
American Medical Association (AMA)
Isa, Mansur& Lee, Siew Peng& Basha, Obiyathulla Allah Ismath& Ahmad, Rubi. Some thoughts on resetting the roles and functions of Shariah committees of Islamic banks in Malaysia. ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance. 2022. Vol. 14, no. 2, pp.175-189.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1429454
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references : p. 187-189
Record ID
BIM-1429454