Selangor records 1,189 Syariah maintenance order violations since 2022

New Straits Times

08-07-2025

SHAH ALAM: Selangor, through the Selangor State Family Support Division, received 1,189 complaints of maintenance order violations between 2022 and May 31 this year.
State Islamic Religious Affairs executive councillor, Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah, said 332 complaints were received in 2022, followed by 391 in 2023, 422 in 2024, and 44 as of May 31 this year.
He said the state government, through the Selangor Syariah Judiciary Department (JAKESS) is currently drafting strategic cooperation opportunities with other agencies including the National Registration Department, Inland Revenue Board and financial institutions, to assist in tracing and seizing assets of those who defy maintenance orders.
Among the outlined enforcement methods are the attachment of earnings orders, 'hiwalah' (garnishment orders), or the seizure and sale of assets belonging to parties who fail to comply with maintenance orders.
This, he said, is an example of a more accurate, practical, and directly impactful mechanism compared to committal proceedings, which are punitive and involve imprisonment, but do not provide immediate financial benefit to the claimant.
The state government, he added, is committed to strengthening and improving Syariah legislation, particularly in matters concerning maintenance, to ensure the rights of women and children after divorce are continuously protected.
He was responding to a question from Meru assemblyman Mariam Abdul Rashid during the 15th Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting at the Selangor State Assembly building yesterday.
Fahmi said one of the other ongoing efforts is a review and amendment of the Selangor Islamic Family Law Enactment, with the Selangor Islamic Religious Council working alongside JAKESS, Jais, academics, and Syariah legal experts to examine and propose changes to the Selangor Islamic Family Law Enactment 2003 to improve provisions related to the enforcement of maintenance orders.
At the same time, he said, through engagement sessions, technical workshops, public forums, and legal impact assessments, all views and practical experiences from various perspectives are taken into account to ensure the proposed amendments are truly effective, comprehensive, and implementable.
"This approach also ensures that the laws enacted are fair and meet the current needs of the Muslim community in Selangor," he said.
He added that the selection of an accurate and efficient mechanism by those seeking maintenance, particularly former wives or child guardians, is one of the key factors in ensuring the effectiveness of maintenance order enforcement.
"Failure to choose the right channel or mechanism can lead to delays, confusion, and ultimately undermine the rights of maintenance recipients.
"JAKESS is always proactive in educating the public to understand and choose the most appropriate channel or mechanism to claim or enforce their rights.
"The organisation of legal literacy programmes and awareness seminars regularly and annually is a manifestation of the state government's commitment to providing sufficient exposure and, in turn, increasing the success rate of maintenance order enforcement," he said.