Johor sees rise in divorce applications among Muslims
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor has recorded an increase in divorce applications filed by Muslim couples in the Syariah Court statewide over six years from 2019 to the end of 2024.
State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid ( pic ) said the total number of divorce applications rose from 6,844 cases in 2019 to 7,306 cases last year.
He said the causes of divorce include incompatibility, financial problems, irresponsible partners and interference from third parties, such as in-laws.
'The most significant increase was in divorce applications, which rose from 3,273 cases in 2019 to 4,264 cases in 2024.
'As for applications to verify divorce pronouncements (lafaz cerai), although there was a slight drop in 2021 (1,856 cases), the number increased again to 2,462 cases in 2024,' he added.
Mohd Fared said this in reply to Marina Ibrahim (Pakatan–Skudai) during the state assembly meeting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar on Monday (May 19).
Earlier, Marina requested data from the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) on alimony claims following divorce among married Muslim couples.
Mohd Fared said applications for the verification of taklik divorces remained low throughout the period, between 25 and 38 cases annually. Applications for khulu' or redemption divorces also stayed low, dropping slightly from 10 cases in 2019 to eight cases in 2024.
'Meanwhile, fasakh divorce applications recorded a notable decrease from 988 cases in 2019 to 545 cases in 2024,' he said, adding that the highest number of divorce applications came from individuals aged 26 to 35, involving 16,159 people.
Mohd Fared also said this was followed by applicants aged 36 to 45 (10,517), 18 to 25 (4,877), 46 to 55 (4,631), 56 to 65 (1,715), and those aged 66 and above (588).
'In total, 371 alimony claims have been filed from May last year to April this year. Through the Family Support Division, eligible individuals received assistance after an investigation and approval by the committee.
'From 2012 to August 2023, the Family Support Division has channelled RM77,400 in advance payments to eligible ex-wives using funds contributed by the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAIJ),' he added.
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