13,920 Cases Of Alimony Arrears Settled Since 2020 - Marhamah

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- A total of 13,920 cases of arrears of maintenance involving ex-wives were successfully resolved for the period 2020 to 2025 through various enforcement initiatives by the Malaysian Syariah Judicial Department (JKSM).

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Marhamah Rosli said the achievement reflected the government's seriousness in addressing the issue of failure to pay maintenance which is considered a dereliction of duty that affects the welfare of women and children.

She said the resolution was driven by the Family Support Division (BSK) through its syariah legal and consultation services to claim arrears through negotiation or through the legal process.

"BSK officers who are certified syariah lawyers can represent ex-wives in the Syariah Court through actions such as judgment debtor summons, income detention, committal, seizure and sale as well as hiwalah procedure, to freeze bank account," she said during an oral question and answer session at the Dewan Negara today.

She was responding to a question from Senator Dr Jufitri Joha who wanted to know the statistics on the number of ex-wives who have benefited from BSK from 2020-2025, which was created by the government to ensure that maintenance orders issued by the Syariah Court are complied with and implemented by ex-husbands to their ex-wives and children.

Commenting on the latest mechanism, Marhamah said 166 cases have been successfully resolved through the Garnishee Order since it was introduced in 2022 until last year.

Although the mechanism is effective, she said there are several challenges in its implementation including lack of cooperation from the judgment debtor (ex-husband) to provide employer information as well as insufficient bank account balances to settle the arrears.

"Another challenge arises when the employer is from the private sector or non-Muslims who are not bound by the Syariah Court order," she said.

Apart from legal action, Marhamah said the government also provided an Advance Fund service by channelling RM1.73 million until last December to ensure the welfare of ex-wives and children are safeguarded while awaiting the settlement of arrears.

According to her, the initiative also includes the BSK Transit service which has been provided since 2022 to cover the cost of travel, food and accommodation for ex-wives to attend court proceedings related to maintenance.

Meanwhile, Marhamah also praised the efforts of the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) which channelled assistance totalling RM62.73 million through 10 assistance schemes to 7,683 single mothers in the region throughout 2025.

-- BERNAMA