Report: Tabung Haji agrees to permit court docket to freeze property of Muslim debtors who fail to pay alimony and youngster help

BY SHAHRIN AIZAT NOORSHAHRIZAM

Wednesday, March 30, 2022 10:10 am MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 – Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) has agreed to amend the Tabung Haji Law of 1995, also known as Law 535, essentially to allow access to debtors’ accounts in the Muslim Pilgrim Fund to Nafkah or alimony owed to their ex-wives and child support.

Sharia Chief Justice Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar told Utusan Malaysia today that the amendment will also allow Sharia courts to obtain documents and information from debtors who have failed to make post-divorce payments.

“The change in the law also allows for the freezing of the depositor’s or debtor’s account for the purpose of paying arrears of child support to the spouse or child,” he was quoted as saying.

The decision was reportedly made yesterday during Mohd Na’im’s meeting with LTH CEO Datuk Seri Amrin Awaluddin.

The Sharie Chief Justice also urged other bodies to similarly allow Sharia courts access to legal documents belonging to Muslim debtors.

He told the Malaysian daily that pro-government investment fund Permodalan Nasional Bhd is expected to follow in LTH’s footsteps in investigating stocks owned by Muslims who are failing to meet their alimony and subsistence obligations.

Mohd Na’im first proposed freezing the accounts of Tabung Haji depositors who failed to pay child support and child support to their ex-wives and children who succeeded their mother last week.

He said the proposal is to ensure that all Tabung Haji depositors who are potential pilgrims to the Holy Land are debt-free.

Minister for Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun reportedly welcomed the announcement and said her ministry will try to implement the idea this year after discussions with other authorities.