'Amendments to marriage and divorce law a harmonious solution'

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the Act will provide guidelines for marriage cases which is no longer under the Islamic law boundaries but is still bound by the civil law.

"So this amendment of the Act 164 will provide the guidelines, for a harmonious solution for both parties and it is not under the Syariah Court," he told reporters after attending the Independence Convoy Programme and the Opening of Surau Aliza Al-Khir in Kampung Ulu Sedaka, here, today.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, had announced in the Cabinet the decision to make immediate amendments to the Act 164, based on three main principles.

Jamil Khir said this dispute had dragged on for so long which provoked a clash between both spouses and the law.

"So the amendment to the Act 164 is the solution, even the Prime Minister has declared three guidelines as a benchmark in solving this problem," he said.

In another development, Jamil Khir said the authorities had already arrested a 43-year-old man who claimed to be 'Jesus' and had taken his statements.