The government is actively enforcing 9,674 maintenance cases, using salary deductions, account freezes and imprisonment to ensure welfare payments
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is intensifying enforcement against maintenance defaulters, with 9,674 cases currently being pursued to safeguard the welfare of women and children.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the Family Support Division is employing several measures including lawsuits, automatic salary deductions and account freezes.
“The government takes the issue of unpaid maintenance very seriously as it neglects responsibilities that directly affect the welfare of women and children,” he told the Dewan Negara.
He added that amendments to the Financial Services Act now permit financial institutions to freeze defaulters’ accounts to settle arrears.
As of September 2025, 152 cases have been registered under the *hiwalah* account freezing system, with 26 resolved and RM79,820 transferred to recipients.
A dedicated Monitoring Unit now tracks compliance with maintenance orders and manages salary deductions.
The division also collaborates with agencies like LHDN, PERKESO and JPJ to trace defaulters’ addresses, income and status.
“This integrated data system speeds up enforcement and reduces opportunities for defaulters to evade their obligations,” Mohd Na’im said.
He noted that the Special Maintenance Court has reduced case resolution times from 14 months to just six months.
Responding to calls for a temporary fund, he clarified that existing mechanisms like the Maintenance Advance and Maintenance Aid are already operational.
The recoverable Maintenance Advance is managed alongside support for the needy, particularly the *asnaf* group. – Bernama
