KOTA SAMARAHAN: The growing number of divorce cases recorded among Muslim couples in Sarawak is mostly due to the critical state of domestic violence.
Voicing her concern over the issue, Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said 2,761 of divorce cases involving Muslim couples were registered last year.
Every year, she said couples between the age of 18 and 40 topped the list of those seeking a divorce.
“And the majority of the couples who sought a divorce have been married for five years or less,” she said at the closing ceremony of Smart Parenting Skills Programme: “Baitul Muslim and Till Jannah”, here, yesterday.
Irreconcilable differences, immaturity, irresponsible husbands, interference from in-laws and financial problems, she said, were the top reasons given by couples who sought to nullify their marriages.
“Some of the divorce cases stemmed from domestic violence triggered by drug and substance abuse.
“There were also cases of spouses suffering from depression, which soured their relationship and led them to the point of ending their marriage.
“We observed an increasing trend of people suffering from depression, which contributed to the increase in divorce cases in the state,” she said.
Fatimah said the state government would continue organising the Smart Parenting Skills Programme to address the problems that triggered divorces among couples in the state.
“This programme was introduced this year to strengthen the family institution and promote better understanding among couples by enriching them with knowledge on marriage management,” she said.
