Minimum amount for child alimony should be RM500, says syarie lawyer
However, the government can review the ideal amount in greater detail, as the cost of living and daily needs vary across different localities.
SHAH ALAM – The minimum value of alimony rates for children should be set at an ideal amount to ensure that ex-husbands do not neglect their responsibilities in Islam.
Syarie lawyer Nurain Akmal Khairunnisa welcomed the initiative by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar to develop a specific formula for determining alimony rates.
However, she expressed concern about the clarity of its implementation.
"I urge the government to set a minimum baseline for child support to ensure fathers remain committed to fulfilling their obligations.
"Given the increasingly challenging economic conditions, I believe the absolute minimum amount for a child’s maintenance should be RM500.
"However, the government can review the ideal amount in greater detail, as the cost of living and daily needs vary across different localities," she said.
Regarding the proposal to introduce a formula for determining an ideal alimony rate, Nurain pointed out that the initiative had already been introduced by the Malaysian Syariah Judiciary Department (JKSM) through Practice Direction No 5 of 2019, Guidelines for the Assessment Scale of Child Support Amount circular.
"However, the circular serves only as a guideline, with the Syariah courts needing to consider the father’s capacity and existing commitments.
"Many alimony claims have shown that fathers find it difficult to follow the guideline despite their gross income exceeding the recommended threshold.
"This is due to the increasingly challenging economic factors, which result in high monthly commitments for fathers," she said.
