When the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) (Amendment) Act 2016 was tabled in Parliament on 21st November 2016, I was one of the first to welcome it and to congratulate the Government.
This is what I had said on 21st November 2016 when I expressed concern over the lateness of the Bill, which was scheduled to be debated in the parliamentary session in March, 2017.
“I’m hoping for Azalina to fast-track this Bill so it can assist the many who are caught in this ugly situation.
“Many Malaysians are suffering in silence, especially unfortunate children who have been converted to Islam by a parent.
“Many are also unable to move on from this predicament and with their lives.”
Further in the last days of the Parliamentary sitting in December 2016, I met MCA and MIC Presidents to push for the Bill to be approved. They assured me there was no hurry as definitely in the next session all will be achieved by passing of the Bill.
Let’s not forget the assurance given by the Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib on 25thtAugust 2016 at the government’s Women’s Day Celebration where he had aid “”I, the deputy prime minister and the Cabinet all agreed that the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 amendment be tabled in the next Parliament sitting”.
“I believe this is a just move that is in line with what Islam demands of us,” Najib said in his speech.
Najib said that the amendment to the law would iron out the problem of overlapping jurisdiction between the civil and Shariah courts.
“The decision was made after demands were made that we resolve the problem…If the couple is married under civil law, then we should settle the divorce under civil law,” he said.
But today I may be forced to withdraw the “congratulatory message” as there are now tale signs that the said bill may never be debated and passed by Parliament. I understand there are powerful people who want the bill to be withdrawn at all costs come what may. I have been hearing from the “grapevine” that this Bill may “not see the light at the end of the tunnel”.
The above Bill was to be debated this week as it was listed as no.4 in the Order Paper of Parliament for the last two 2 weeks. Now in the 3rd week of the parliamentary session, ithas been pushed down to no 8. This clearly indicates there is no priority in getting this Bill passed.
It looks like now both MCA and MIC Presidents have been side stepped and their assurance has gone down the drain! Thus the promise by the PM and his Cabinet is just an eye wash.
Why the sudden change of mind? Who is blocking this bill from being debated and passed?
Many Malaysians and like minded people would be disappointed by the move to defer or to withdraw this Bill.
I urge the Prime Minister to keep to his promise and not to give in to the ultras. Any delay in approving the Bill which is already 8 years too late will make many to continue to suffer in silence.( In 2009 , the Cabinet has decided that unilateral conversion will be banned).
This Bill would have addressed this and many shortcomings of non-Muslim issues.
Has the Government of the day lost its political will to bring a harmonious life for distressed married couples?