Extra complaints about non-payment of alimony in the course of the MCO, says Sharia CJ | Malaysia

The chairman of the Sharia judge Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said that under the current provisions of the Sharia court, the husband or ex-husband willfully refuse to pay alimony after issuing an order, he may be entitled to under the state Sharia law be sentenced to imprisonment. – Reuters picture

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 – Complaints from husbands and ex-husbands who fail to pay maintenance to their wives or ex-wives have increased during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period compared to before.

The Malaysian Ministry of Justice (JKSM) director general and chief Sharia judge Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar previously said the ministry was only making about five complaints per month through the Department of Family Support (BSK) official Facebook account or the state BSK-E- Mail received.

“Now we’re getting five complaints in five days,” he told Bernama when asked about the number of complaints from wives or ex-wives about husbands or ex-husbands failing to pay their alimony or child support.

He said the number of these complaints rose after the department announced that they could be submitted through the official BSK Facebook account.

Mohd Na’im said that every complaint submitted should include a phone number or email address that the BSK can use to contact the complainant for further information.

He said that if the husband or ex-husband refuses to pay alimony as ordered, a complaint for non-compliance with the BSK could be submitted through the official Facebook account “Bahagian Sokongan Keluarga-BSK” or the complaint could be emailed to the State BSK sections are sent.

“The BSK will investigate and process any complaint,” he said, adding that a reminder will be sent to the husband or ex-husband before any further action is taken after the MCO period.

Mohd Na’im said BSK officials across the country not only received complaints via FB and email, but were also proactive, contacting their clients to find out their problems and helping 437 people between April 13-16 to have.

He said that under current Shariah court rules, if the husband or ex-husband intentionally refuses to pay alimony after issuing an order, he may be sentenced to imprisonment under Shariah laws of the state.

He said the court could order that payments be made in lump sums or in monthly installments.

The Sharia court may also order that the husband or ex-husband’s salary be withheld or deductions made and the money transferred to the bank accounts of the children and the wife or ex-wife.

Wives or ex-wives who do not receive maintenance payments from their husband or ex-husband can apply for help from the BSK JKSM or the state BSK. – Bernama