PUTRAJAYA, 22 Oct 2008: The government has set up the Family Support Division to help enforce Syariah court orders and judgements pertaining to family matters including maintenance and child custody.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia was the first Islamic country to take such a move.
At the initial stage, the division would focus on helping women with children continue with their lives after being abandoned by their husbands, he told reporters after launching the division here today.
“We will assist those who seek help from the division, particularly non-working mothers. The assistance may include money to cover the cost of their children’s education,” he said.
He said the Family Support Division would also provide legal advice for women who wanted to seek maintenance from their husbands.
“This is because there are many cases where the husband refuses to provide maintenance despite the court order and there are also cases where the husband cannot afford it,” he said.
Zahid said the division would also act as a moderator should problems occur between Muslims because if the solution is not reached quickly, it would tarnish the image of Islam.
The Family Support Division was set up under the Syariah Judiciary Department and presently has 96 staff nationwide. — Bernama
