The Selangor state legislative assembly was told today that the divorce rate among Muslim couples in the state has been high every year since 2008.

Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development Committee chairperson Halimah Ali said there were 4,069 cases in 2008, 4,614 cases (2009), 5,352 cases (2010), 6,035 cases (2011), 6,098 cases (2012) and 6,028 cases (2013).

“The high divorce rate requires the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to review the actual causes of these divorces. However based on feedback, couples marrying outside Selangor but divorced in this state is among the causes for the high rate,” she said,

She was replying to Yaakob Sapari (PKR-Kota Anggerik) on steps to be taken by the government to reduce the divorce rate in the state.

Efforts to address the high divorce rate, included reviewing the marriage course module, providing counselling to couples with problems and setting up a reconciliation committee, she said.

- Bernama