FEDERAL CONSTITUTION, LEGISLATION AND DECIDED CASES’ PERSPECTIVE ON CHILD CUSTODY AFTER DIVORCE IN MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v7i1.917Keywords:
fundamental liberties, child custody after divorce, the child’s welfare, access, maintenanceAbstract
Child custody laws after divorce are important. In Malaysia, the Federal Constitution is the highest law of the Federation. It provides the general ideas on custody. Legislation and decided cases interpret the Constitution’s perspective on custody. Muslims are bound by Islamic family law and the Shari’ah court, whereas Civil family law and the Civil court bind the non-Muslims. Thus, both courts cannot interfere with each other’s jurisdiction in custody. For example, a Muslim parent cannot petition for custody in the Civil court. The Fundamental Liberties provisions of the Constitution are related to custody. Thus, provisions concerning personal freedoms, the prohibition of slavery and forced labour, equality before the law, freedoms of movement, speech, assembly, association, and religion, as well as rights to education and property, ensure that custody protects both the child and others. The provisions are practised by legislation and decided cases through the principle of the child’s welfare. The principle concerns the child’s residence, contact, upbringing, the parties who will live with the child, and also maintenance. For example, the right of the child to express personal views on custody is related to the freedom of speech under the Constitution. Therefore, this article highlights a theme that custody is recognised under the Constitution through the Fundamental Liberties provisions.
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