Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) (Amendment) Bill 2017 passed

The decision was announced by Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee at about 12.40 am after the third reading of the bill was made by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and seconded by Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri.

Earlier the bill was tabled by Azalina for the second reading and debated by the Members of Parliament for over three hours and the winding up by Azalina for an hour.

In winding up the debate, Azalina said the amendment aimed to provide room for couples who married and had converted to Islam or one of them who is still a Muslim to file a petition for the dissolution of the marriage in the civil court.

She said it was to avoid action by either the husband or wife who did not want to terminate the marriage but did not execute any responsibility towards the spouse, their children or properties.

"It means that he has a choice, a person who converts to Islam is bound by the Islamic family law, that is his right but it is a question of the family he left behind.

"I am not married yet and I am also angry, for running away, not wanting to pay maintenance, using Islam when Islam is a responsible religion," she said.

Azalina said the amendment did not deny the rights of a person in the Syariah Court, instead it encourages a person to be more responsible in divorcing the spouse in the Civil Court.

Prior to this, Azalina in a statement, said the amendment was also made to ensure no party challenge the legality of the law under Clause (1) Article 4 of the Federal Constitution.

"The government is serious in making an amendment to this law to maintain the harmony of the diverse races and religions in the country besides ensuring that claims such as custody and maintenance of the children up to the highest level of education are sustained and guaranteed.