KUALA LUMPUR: The government is stepping up enforcement on maintenance defaulters, with 9,674 cases currently being pursued, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.
Speaking in the Dewan Negara on Tuesday (Dec 2), Mohd Na'im highlighted that the Family Support Division under the Syariah Judiciary Malaysia Department was using several enforcement measures, including debt recovery lawsuits, automatic salary deductions, account freezes via the hiwalah system and imprisonment for up to 30 days for defaulters.
"The government takes the issue of unpaid maintenance very seriously," he said, responding to questions from Senators Dr Wan Martina Wan Yusoff and Datuk Edward Linggu Bukut regarding maintenance arrears in Syariah courts.
Mohd Na'im also noted that amendments to the 2013 Financial Services Act now allow financial institutions to freeze defaulters' accounts to settle maintenance arrears.
As of September 2025, 152 hiwalah cases have been registered, with 26 successfully resolved, transferring RM79,820 to recipients.
Additionally, BSK has established a Monitoring Unit to track compliance with maintenance orders, manage salary deductions and propose legal action for persistent defaulters.
The division collaborates with agencies such as the Inland Revenue Board, Social Security Organisation, Road Transport Department, Companies Commission and National Registration Department to track defaulters' addresses, income and status.
"This integrated data system speeds up enforcement and reduces opportunities for defaulters to evade their obligations," he said, adding that the Special Maintenance Court has also cut case resolution times from 14 months to just six months.
In response to calls for a temporary maintenance fund, Mohd Na'im clarified that existing mechanisms, such as the Maintenance Advance and Maintenance Aid, were already in place.
Managed by BSK and the State Islamic Religious Councils (MAINs), the Maintenance Advance was recoverable once arrears are collected through legal action, while Maintenance Aid supports those in need, particularly the asnaf (eligible poor) group. – Bernama
