The Nyonya Tahir case is proof that non-Muslims could get justice in the syariah court, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

He said in a Bernama report that the ruling of the Negeri Sembilan Syariah Court had exonerated the syariah court of the allegation that it would not be fair to non-Muslims.

"I am pleased with what happened in Seremban. It proves there is justice in the Syariah Court. It also proved non-Muslims can appear before the Syariah Court and the judge arrived at his decision based on the facts.

"That is the sign of justice. He did not shut his eyes, did not reject the facts," Abdullah told reporters after chairing a meeting of the Umno supreme council here last night.

The Negeri Sembilan Syariah Court on Monday ruled that Nyonya Tahir, who was born a Muslim Malay but lived as a Chinese and followed Buddhist practices since young, was not a Muslim at her death.

Buddhist rites

Judge Mohd Shukor Sabudin heard evidence presented by Nyonya's youngest son Chiang Ah Fatt and his older sister Chiang Kwang Ying before ordering the Tampin Hospital to hand over her body to the family for burial according to Buddhist rites.

The body was kept at the hospital since her death on Friday pending the decision of the court.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said the government would hold courses for Syariah Court judges to ensure uniformity in the rulings made in different states.

He said one ruling would concern allowing non-Muslims to seek redress in the Syariah Court.