Abang Johari (centre) and other VIPs and invited guests stirring the porridge at the launch. — Photo by Muhd Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: State Syariah family law, particularly on divorce and alimony involving converts will be reviewed to provide better protection for the affected spouses and children.
The review to provide fairness to all parties will be holistic, Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg told reporters after he officiated at the distribution of 13,000 packets of Masja-SA porridge at Masjid Jamek Negeri in Petra Jaya here yesterday.
“This law will be reviewed and I am asking Sharifah Hasidah to do a study on the review. It may take six to eight months to complete the study and the Bill over it may be tabled either in November or April,” said Abang Johari.
Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali is the Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal relations and Project monitoring.
“We need to manage our community therefore we have to lessen the number of divorces.
“As children are also affected by separations and divorces, we must look for ways to create fairness for all parties involved. We also need to provide education to people so they contribute to the strengthening of the family institution,” he added.
Also present at the ceremony were Sarawak Mosque Welfare Trust Board (or LAKMNS) honorary secretary Tan Sri Bujang Mohd Nor and its general manager Mohd Sabry Othman as well as Tupong assemblyman Fazzruddin Abdul Rahman, State Mufti Dato Kipli Yassin and Iman Besar Negeri Sarawak Sahibul Fadhilah Mustapa.
Abang Johari stressed that he advocates policies that promote racial harmony.
He acknowledged the generosity of Muslims in Sarawak whose tithes to the Baitumal fund amounts to RM100 million per year.
Muslims in Sarawak are able to contribute in enlarging Baitumal assets because of the state’s (political) stability, he added.
Mohd Sabry in his welcoming speech said around 1,000 children made full use of Masjid Jamek Negeri where they learn to recite the Quran.
During the ceremony, nine masjid and surau from here, Samarahan and Serian also received donations from LAKMNS.