Amendments to the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 (Act 164) are deemed to be a harmonious solution for both spouses in cases of disputes after one of them had converted to Islam.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom said the act would provide guidelines for marriage cases which are no longer under the Islamic law boundaries but are still bound by the civil law.

“So this amendment of the Act 164 will provide the guidelines, for a harmonious solution for both parties and it is not under the Syariah Court,” he told reporters in Yan.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the cabinet agreed to make immediate amendments to the Act 164, based on three main principles.

Jamil Khir said this dispute had dragged on for so long which provoked a clash between both spouses and the law.

“So the amendment to the Act 164 is the solution, even the prime minister has declared three guidelines as a benchmark in solving this problem,” he said.

In another development, Jamil Khir said the authorities had arrested a 43-year-old man who claimed to be ‘Jesus’ and had taken his statements.

- Bernama