1. Scholarly Works

This chapter provides discussion on a study that investigates the perceptions on shariah governance practices among Malaysian Islamic financial institutions. The chapter explores the effectiveness of implementation of Shariah Governance Framework among Malaysian IFIs with the focus on their level of commitment, the challenges and suggestions to further improve the effectiveness of implementation of this framework. The system of corporate control, effective and efficient governance that is consistent with shariah guidance has been an important agenda for Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) since the existence ofIslamic Finance in Malaysia. This is especially important in light of rapid growth in Islamic Finance industry not only in Malaysia but globally. The well-functioning Islamic finance industry can only be sustained if there is good corporate governance practice by IFIs that comply with the shariah guidance.

Over the last few decades, the Islamic financial system has shown a strong and improved performance, where the global total assets of the industry as of end 2014 has exceeding USD2.0 trillion or a compounded annual growth rate (GACR) of 17.4% between 2009 and 2014. The Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) reported monumental issuances in sovereign sukuks by the governments of the UK, Senegal, Hong Kong, South Africa and Luxembourg ammounting to USD 115 billion.

This chapter discusses some challenges of Shariah Committees In Islamic financial institutions in dispensing their responsibilities in mitigating the non-compliance risks. The concept of shariah governance has its foundation in the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Shariah (which literally means "the way") is the divinely ordained guidelines of conduct for Muslims in all aspects of their life, which includes financial matters. Any form of transaction, irrespective of financial or otherwise, must be free of any element of injustice to the transacting parties. For financial transactions, any elemerit or form of activity that could be construed as 'riba' or injustice to any of the participants in the transaction is absolutely forbidden. The objective is to ensure that the operations of Islamic Financial Institutions (lFIs) are shariah compliant, failing which will result in loss of confidence and credibility that will impede the future growth of Islamic finance Industry.

The concept of Shariah governance has its foundation in the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Shariah (which literally means "the way") is the divinely ordained guidelines of conduct for Muslims in all aspects of their life, which includes financial matters. Any form of transaction, irrespective of financial or otherwise, must be free of any element of injustice to the transacting parties.