Immediate amendments to divorce laws

The prime minister says the clash between the civil court and shariah court, arising from conversion to Islam by one of the spouses, may be removed with the amendments.

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Najib Razak today announced that the government will amend the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 with immediate effect.

“The amendment of this Act will provide an opportunity for both partners to resolve the issue of civil marriage in the civil courts, thus enabling them to continue their life like other couples to marry non-Muslims,” Najib said in a statement.

“At the same time, the clash between the civil court and shariah court, arising from conversion to Islam by one of the spouses, may be removed and the legislative gaps and duplication of the provisions within the existing law may be resolved.”

This initiative, Najib said, is proof of the government’s commitment both to upholding the rule of Islam, as the religion of the federation, and also to “maintaining the principle of plurality within the framework of race and religion among the people of this country”.

“This is in line with the principles of Islam itself, which promotes in great extent the aspects of justice and maslahah, or the interests of all parties.”

The prime minister also announced the formation of a new task force to protect citizens, and particularly children, against sex crimes, which will be set up with immediate effect and be chaired by a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

Najib’s announcement today comes months after the nation witnessed two high-profile interfaith custody battles where two Hindu women fought to keep their children after their Muslim-convert ex-husbands unilaterally converted their children.