KUALA LUMPUR: The government will propose that Syariah Court judges make divorce and alimony decisions simultaneously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says.
This is to prevent problems from being dragged out too long until ex-wives and the children become victims.
“Right now, after the divorce is finalized, the case will not be brought up until later to resolve alimony issues. Sometimes this takes time.
“And that is why we have agreed that both divorce and alimony (hearings) will be decided at the same time and this will allow all alimony-related processes to be speeded up,” he told a media conference at the Parliament building yesterday.
Earlier, Ismail Sabri held a meeting with officials from Malaysia’s Syariah Lawyers Association (PGSM) to discuss issues related to Syariah laws, Bernama reported.
The prime minister said the government had also proposed paying civil servants’ alimony payments on the basis of court decisions on direct deductions.
He said courts can take action against employers for contempt if they refuse to deduct wages directly for alimony.
“As announced recently during the Umno General Assembly, (ex-)husbands’ (bank) accounts will be frozen in order to make direct (alimony) payments to the ex-wife and children.
“We also strongly propose the Syariah Court Law against (ex)husbands who defy court decisions and that a disregard of the court order be issued so that further legal action can be taken against the (ex)husbands,” he said.
In light of this, Ismail Sabri said he would hold talks with the Treasury and Bank Negara to order the banks to make alimony payments as per the Syariah courts decision.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri also announced the establishment of a Syariah Legal Aid Center (Bagus), which aims to ensure that Muslims in the country, especially the B40 group, have better access to seek justice, especially before the Syariah -Dish.
He said the center will provide two basic services, namely, free legal advice for Muslims who wish to seek legal advice on the lawsuit processes and procedures before the Syariah Court.
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