PETALING JAYA: The proposal to amend the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 (LRA) is timely as it will improve harmony among multi-racial Malaysians.
In a statement on Monday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said the Government’s move to table the amendments in the next Parliament session shows its seriousness in finding a comprehensive solution.
Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said divorce matters that involved civil marriages must be settled in a civil court even if one of the spouses converts to Islam, under legal reforms to be tabled in Parliament in October.
In announcing changes to the LRA, he said: “Any vacuum or overlap in existing laws can be resolved once changes are made to the Act.”
“The statement by the Prime Minister on the amendments would further improve respect among Malaysians who practise different religions, while improving racial harmony in the country,” said Kurup.
He said Malaysians should support changes to the LRA, adding that it would enhance unity in the country.
The call for the amendments to the LRA came following the long-standing custody battle between S. Deepa and her converted ex-husband Izwan Abdullah as well as the ongoing legal saga between Indira Gandhi and former spouse Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah.-thestar
