KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar has expressed its readiness to assist in establishing a federal framework to strengthen the enforcement of court-ordered child maintenance, offering expertise in legal analysis and consultation, said president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab.
He welcomed calls raised in Parliament during the 13th Malaysia Plan debate to create such a framework, describing it as a vital step toward addressing one of the most persistent problems in family law — non-compliance with maintenance orders.
“For too long, custodial parents have shouldered the burden of chasing errant payors through lengthy and emotionally draining enforcement processes,” he said, noting that this has left many parents and children facing financial insecurity after separation or divorce.
The Malaysian Bar, he added, is prepared to collaborate with ministries, state authorities, and other stakeholders to develop an effective system that ensures children’s financial rights are upheld. Strengthening enforcement, he stressed, is a shared responsibility that benefits children’s welfare and family stability in the long run.
Mohamad Ezri advocated for systemic reforms to make family law processes more accessible, efficient, and fair. A dedicated enforcement framework or agency — designed in accordance with Malaysia’s constitutional and jurisdictional structures — could protect children’s rights while easing court workloads, reducing legal costs for vulnerable parties, and reinforcing the family unit.
He cited examples from the United Kingdom’s Child Maintenance Service and Canada’s provincial Maintenance Enforcement Programs, which include measures such as direct wage deductions to ensure compliance.
While Malaysia’s system must reflect local laws and social realities, he said, the core principle remains that child maintenance is a legal obligation, not a voluntary act. Any initiative must be inclusive, non-discriminatory, and applicable to all eligible children and parents, operating within the jurisdictions of both the civil and Syariah courts.
Source: Bernama
