The fast track divorce process introduced by the Selangor Syariah Judiciary Department (Jakess) is not merely to end a marriage without steps taken for the couple to reconcile, according to the department.

In a statement today, it said couples who want to file for divorce will have to meet the counselling officer at the Islamic religious office before they can file their divorce application to the court.

“The filing of divorce cases at the Syariah Court is only after the couple has exhausted all means to save their marriage,” it said, adding that fast track process was introduced in 2015 following complaints that the Syariah Court took a long time to settle divorce cases and to reduce bureaucratic red tape for couples who both consent to divorce.

However, it said couples have to fulfil certain terms and conditions to be eligible for the fast track, including being able to produce complete documents, both parties are present and consent to the filing of divorce and the court is satisfied with the reasons for divorce.

The process is also intended to save cost and time and to enable the couples concerned to begin their lives anew quickly with no feeling of animosity for one another, it said.

The statement was issued as the matter was raised by Jelebu MP Jalaludin Alias in Parliament yesterday.

He said it was because of the express divorce process that Selangor recorded the highest number of divorce cases in the country.

- Bernama