KUALA LUMPUR: The government plans to table detailed amendments to Islamic family and syariah-related laws in March 2026 to enforce the obligation of adult children to provide financial support for infirm parents, as the country prepares to become an aged nation by 2030.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said while the draft amendments are being finalised, the government will continue advocacy programmes to raise awareness of filial responsibilities.
He said the Syariah Judiciary Department (JKSM) is drawing up new provisions for the Syariah Courts legislation to explicitly empower courts to hear claims involving the welfare and maintenance of elderly or incapacitated parents.
“The Madani government, through the JKSM, is drafting new amendments to the Syariah Courts legislation by inserting clear and specific provisions on the authority related to parental maintenance and care.
“This effort aims to ensure that the syariah courts have the jurisdiction to handle claims involving the welfare of infirm or incapacitated parents more effectively,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Nov 25).
Separately, the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) is reviewing the Islamic Family Law (1984) to assess whether current provisions are adequate or require further detail to address parental maintenance in line with social realities, he said in response to Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading).
Mohd Na’im said the draft amendments are undergoing legal scrutiny, stakeholder engagement and technical reviews to ensure they meet community needs and comply with Islamic principles.
He added that Jakim is coordinating with the National Islamic Legal Committee (JPIK), the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) and the National Islamic Legal Dialogue to develop a federal model law that states can adopt for uniform implementation, as Islamic affairs fall under state jurisdiction.
He said the process will take time, and meanwhile the government is continuing public education through premarital and post-marital courses, family programmes and broadcasts on TV Al-Hijrah and IKIM to reinforce the obligation of children to support ageing parents.
