27 January 2019

Press statement by Wanita MCA Chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie

Heng: Include both Civil and Syariah courts in protecting all female victims regardless of religion or race in alimony payment plan

Wanita MCA applauds the Pakatan government’s announcement of mulling stiffer measures as means of pressuring men who neglected their responsibilities to pay alimony to their former spouses and children.

Alimony, simply put, is a court-ordered spousal support that recognises a partner’s previous contribution to the marriage, and intended to provide financial support for the spouse who was financially-supported during the marriage, which is most commonly the wife.

Upon entering into marriage, the recipient of alimony, which is the most likely the wife, may have given up her career and invested her time and energy into the family. In doing so, the husband was able to focus on his career and boost his earning power throughout the marriage. The dutiful wife has worked full time to put the children, if any, through school and is therefore rightful to make claims from the former husband after divorce.

The proposed mechanism of having banks to impose certain restrictions is said to enable the Syariah Judiciary Department to deduct from the former husband’s contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and bank accounts so that alimony payment can be made to the ex-wife as decided by the Syariah Court.

This is especially helpful since many women cannot afford to fight it out in court, should their former husbands refuse to pay alimony. This will also ensure the children’s needs are taken care of.

However, as among former husbands who failed to pay alimony to ex-wives, many are non-Muslims as well. Such good plan should be open to all ethnic groups, and not just the Malay or Muslim community. I urge the Pakatan government to include all women, irrespective of race and religion, so that they will not be sidelined and left to fend for themselves, should their marriages go awry.

Furthermore, it is alarming to read news of escalating cases of domestic violence against women, in which 4,963 cases were recorded between January and November last year, according to statistics from the police.

Having said that, it is our hope that awareness can be raised on domestic violence, so that more women will be encouraged to stand up for themselves if they are abused, physically or mentally.

More talks or roadshows can be organised to impart the correct values to men on respecting women, the physically weaker sex, in addition to the ‘‘Stop Violence Towards Women’’ campaign which was reportedly held throughout the country via state women development offices.

Let’s nip violence against women in the bud, before more women will be hurt and violated.

Datuk Heng Seai Kie
Wanita MCA Chairman


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