PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Bar has raised concern over the rising divorce rate in the country, saying the trend should not be seen as a commercial opportunity for lawyers but a growing social challenge with long-term consequences for families and children.
Responding to the latest marriage, divorce and reconciliation statistics released by the Statistics Department, Bar president Datuk Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said divorces rose by 4.1% last year while marriages recorded a marginal increase of 0.9%, with reconciliations continuing to decline.
"The legal profession does not view the growth of family disputes as an increased commercial opportunity," he said in a statement on Friday (Dec 26).
"Rather, the Bar reiterates that lawyers carry a duty to help minimise conflict, uphold fairness and guide clients towards outcomes that protect children and preserve dignity.
"Our responsibility is to play a constructive role in restoring balance in the family unit and supporting families during difficult transitions," he added.
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On Nov 20, the Statistics Department revealed that Malaysia registered 190,304 marriages and 60,457 divorces last year, according to its Marriage, Divorce and Rujuk Statistics 2025.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said divorces increased by 4.1% to 60,457 from 58,095 in 2023, with the Crude Divorce Rate (CDR) rising to 1.8 from 1.7 per thousand population.
Ezri said these patterns point to mounting pressures within families that require thoughtful attention and sustained policy intervention.
In light of the statistics, the Bar proposed a series of institutional reforms to strengthen the family justice ecosystem.
Among the key recommendations is making family mediation a mandatory first step before litigation, except in cases involving safety or abuse concerns.
Early mediation, it said, could reduce emotional and financial strain while promoting more stable arrangements for children.
The Bar also called for the introduction of a collaborative family practice framework, similar to those adopted in other Commonwealth jurisdictions such as Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, where parties commit to resolving disputes without adversarial court proceedings.
Other proposals include establishing family support units within courts staffed by counsellors, psychologists, social workers and mediators; strengthening pre-marriage and marriage support programmes; and standardising child-focused court processes such as parenting plans and compulsory co-parenting education.
The Bar urged the expansion of legal aid coverage for family matters, particularly for alternative dispute resolution, to ensure access to justice regardless of income level.
Beyond legal reforms, Ezri said family cohesion was closely linked to broader socioeconomic factors such as cost-of-living pressures, childcare access, mental health services, and work-life balance.
"The latest statistics highlight the need for a more resilient and supportive family justice ecosystem," he said.
The Bar reaffirmed its commitment to working with the judiciary, government, religious authorities and civil society to strengthen institutional frameworks that protect families and prioritise stability, fairness and the well-being of children.
