MIC: Amendment to bill the way forward

MIC yesterday lauded the amended version of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) (Amendment) Bill 2016.

Its president, Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam, praised it as the way forward in resolving issues pertaining to marriages and divorce when one partner converted to Islam.

However, he said Clause 88A did not obtain the agreement of the attorney-general as it was in conflict with the Federal Constitution, and might not get an approval even if it was passed.

“After much discussion, we felt it (the amended act) could assist in resolving many of the problems associated with such marriages.

“There were some areas of the amended act which did not get the agreement of the attorney-general because they were not consistent with provisions of the Federal Constitution and some decided legal decisions in the upper courts of the country.

“This created an impasse, whereby passing the entire amendment came to a standstill. Amendments are being proposed to many different sections of the act, which will help resolve many of the issues faced by such marriages.”

Subramaniam suggested that the Federal Constitution should be addressed first before Clause 88A could be included.

“The current attempt to reintroduce the amendment without 88A is to allow the public to get the benefit of the other amendments while we continue relentlessly to address the issues of unilateral conversion. I share the views, disappointments and statements expressed by everyone over the exclusion of 88A. I would like to express my commitment to continue with the struggle to find lasting solution to this thorny problem.”