KUALA LUMPUR: The Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) (Amendment) Bill 2017 (LRA) was passed by the Dewan Rakyat at 12.45am today after long hours of heated debate.
Minister in Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the passing of the bill was the first step towards resolving cases of dissolution of marriage where one party has converted to Islam.
The amendment includes the passing of Section 51, which mandates that the divorcing couple must have their marriage dissolved in a civil court.
During the debate, DAP's Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament M Kula Segaran urged the government to re-insert Clause 88A into the bill.
Clause 88A states that the religion of a child which is a product of the marriage “shall remain as the religion of the parties to the marriage prior to the conversion”.
The clause also provides that the child can, after turning 18 and with the consent of both parents, convert to Islam.
While delivering his argument, Kula accused the government of failing to "keep its promise made in 2009".
Azalina, however, explained that Clause 88A would not solve the issue, and more in-depth discussions are needed in order to find a more comprehensive solution.
"I don't believe Section 88A would solve the conversion issue. This needs further and deeper discussions.
"But this does not mean it is the end of the story," Azalina said.
Earlier, Pas had tried to force a bloc vote to stop the amendment from being passed, but the party's attempt failed as it did not have the required 15 MPs for the Parliament to support such a move.