ISKANDAR PUTERI: The total number of divorce cases filed in the Syariah Court throughout Johor increased from 7,174 in 2023 to 7,306 last year, says state exco member Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid (pic).
He added that among the causes of divorce are lack of understanding, financial problems, irresponsible spouses, third-party involvement and external interference by in-laws.
“The most significant increase was in divorce claims or applications, which rose to 4,264 cases last year compared to 4,042 in 2023, while claims for the validation of lafaz cerai (divorce pronouncements) increased slightly to 2,462 cases (in 2024) compared to 2,416 (in 2023),” he said, reported Bernama.
Mohd Fared, the chairman of the state Islamic religious affairs committee, made this statement in response to a query from Marina Ibrahim (PH-Skudai).
The question pertained to data from the Religious Office concerning cases of failure to provide maintenance (nafkah) following divorce.
This exchange took place during a sitting of the state assembly in Kota Iskandar yesterday.
He noted that there was a significant decrease in fasakh (annulment) claims, which dropped to 545 cases in 2024 from 675 cases in 2023.
Furthermore, applications for confirmation of cerai taklik (divorce by condition) fell to 27 cases last year, down from 33 in 2023.
Additionally, the number of applications for khuluk (a specific type of divorce initiated by a wife) remained unchanged at eight cases last year.
According to Mohd Fared, the age group with the highest number of divorce filings last year was couples aged 26 to 35, with 2,838 cases; followed by those aged 36 to 45 (1,951 cases); 46 to 55 (881 cases); 18 to 25 (747 cases); 56 to 65 (349 cases); and those aged 66 and above (124 cases).
