Syariah court reform enforces adult children’s obligation
DETAILED amendments for Islamic family and syariah-related laws will be tabled in March to enforce the obligation of adult children to provide financial support for infirm parents.
The country is implementing this plan as it gears up to become an aged nation by 2030.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar (pic) said that 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 Syariah Courts legislation to explicitly empower courts to hear claims involving the welfare and maintenance of elderly or incapacitated parents.
“The 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 yesterday.
Separately, the Department of Islamic Development 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.
