Kuala lumpur: The MADANI government has announced a decisive move against maintenance defaulters, actively pursuing 9,674 cases to safeguard the welfare of women and children, as stated by Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Na'im addressed the Dewan Negara, emphasizing the efforts of the Family Support Division (BSK) under the Department of Syariah Judiciary Malaysia (JKSM) in implementing various enforcement measures. These measures include debt recovery lawsuits, automatic salary deductions, account freezes via the hiwalah system, and imprisonment for defaulters for up to 30 days.
Mohd Na'im stressed the government's serious stance on unpaid maintenance, highlighting its impact on the welfare of women and children. In response to inquiries from Senators Dr Wan Martina Wan Yusoff and Datuk Edward Linggu Bukut about maintenance arrears in Syariah courts, he noted the recent amendments to the 2013 Financial Services Act. These amendments permit financial institutions to freeze defaulters' accounts to address maintenance arrears.
As of September 2025, 152 hiwalah cases have been registered, with 26 successfully resolved, resulting in the transfer of RM79,820 to recipients. Additionally, BSK has set up a Monitoring Unit dedicated to ensuring compliance with maintenance orders, managing salary deductions, and initiating legal action against persistent defaulters.
The division's collaboration with agencies such as the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), Road Transport Department (JPJ), Companies Commission (SSM), and National Registration Department (JPN) enables effective tracking of defaulters' addresses, income, and status. Mohd Na'im emphasized that this integrated data system expedites enforcement and minimizes evasion opportunities for defaulters. Furthermore, the introduction of the Special Maintenance Court has significantly reduced case resolution times from 14 months to six months.
In response to proposals for a temporary maintenance fund, Mohd Na'im clarified that existing mechanisms, such as the Maintenance Advance and Maintenance Aid, are already operational. Managed by BSK and the State Islamic Religious Councils (MAINs), the Maintenance Advance is reclaimable once arrears are collected through legal action, while Maintenance Aid provides support to those in need, particularly the asnaf group.