THE LAW REFORM (MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE) ACT 1976 COMMENTARY AND CASES

The Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 is often considered to be the backbone of family law for non-Muslims in Malaysia. It was enacted to bring about a uniform law applicable to non-Muslim marriages.

In the face of the customs of the different races living in Malaysia, the drafting and the implementation of the new legal regime have not been straightforward. Nevertheless a good appreciation of the Act is essential for a proper knowledge of non-Muslim family law in Malaysia.