22 November 2016

Wanita MCA applauds the tabling of Amendment Bill on Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976

It was timely for the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said to table a Bill to amend Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 (LRA). Malaysians like Indira Gandhi, whose ex-husband Muhammad Ridhuan Abdullah, unilaterally converted her children can soon see the light at the end of the tunnel, after being trapped in a seven-year court battle fighting over the custody of her children as this amendment will help resolve the interfaith custody conflicts between Muslim and non-Muslim parents

MCA has been fighting to amend Section 88A(1) of the Act which confer equal rights to the non-converting spouse in determining the religion of their children, whereby mutual consent of both parents is required to convert a child to Islam. Besides, the children are given the rights to choose their religion once they turn 18.

Wanita MCA also applauds and welcomes the addition of Section 51(1) and (2) which permits the spouse who has converted to Islam the right to file for a divorce under the civil law. This will prevent conflicts arising from separate applications submitted to both the Shariah court and civil court.

Amendment to Section 12(1) of the Act also saw the equal rights granted to the mother, in giving consent to the marriage of their children below 21 years old, which is a leap ahead as both parents enjoy the equal status in determining the happiness of their children.

Wanita MCA sincerely hopes that the amendment Bill will be presented for debate soon in Parliament and subsequently passed to end long-standing woes of many other Malaysians facing the same fate so that no one will have to endure the emotional and psychological stress resulted from a long divorce proceeding or religion-related issues.

Datuk Heng Seai Kie

Wanita MCA Chairman

Adviser on National Unity & Integration in the Prime Minister’s Department

-MCA Online-