Group looks to MPs in fathers' fight for shared custody

 

A group advocating for fathers in shared custody battles has turned to federal lawmakers with their proposed amendments to the Law Reform (Divorce & Marriage) Act 1976.

When contacted, Father's Rights Association of Malaysia (FRAM) co-founder Sheikh Faleigh SM said they would be reaching out to MPs with their proposed changes to the law, including defining the amount of time allocated to a father.

"For children aged below seven, custody will automatically be granted to the mother, unless the father is able to prove she is unfit to take care of the child.

"The decision on visitation is at the discretion of the judge," he told Malaysiakini today.

As part of their advocacy, Faleigh said FRAM members will be present at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya on Jan 7 for a decision in a case filed by one of its members.

He said the father, in this case, is appealing against a court decision that only allowed him 15 minutes of video call per week with his daughter.

"The father was initially granted two hours visitation at a mall, but after some time he committed contempt of court, taking his daughter to Penang to visit her grandmother.

"The court then 'punished' him by only allowing 15-minute video call per week," said Faleigh, who revealed that he previously went four years without any contact with his own children.

He claimed there were many cases where fathers were denied visitation rights because of their former wives, while the law often favours the wives in a divorce case.

'Men often cry alone'

Faleigh said while FRAM is not out to mount any legal challenge, discussions in Parliament on amending related laws would be welcomed.

At the same time, he also cited the government's role through the Women, Families and Community Development Ministry, noting that there appears to be more emphasis on protecting women rather than families when dealing with issues surrounding a divorce.

"If there is a divorce, how is the development of that family?

"When women suffer, they fight together, but men often cry alone," he said.

Founded in May last year, Faleigh said FRAM now has over 100 members comprising both affected fathers and also mothers.

"FRAM is not just an association for loving fathers. FRAM is for everyone who believes in family bonding.

"To have more mature children to share the 'what if' with their divorced parents will bring more meaning to the existence of FRAM.

"Always remember, a couple can choose to be separated or divorced, but once they are a parent, they will remain as one forever," he said.

Last Sept 15, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob reportedly said that almost 78,000 divorce cases were recorded since the Covid-19 outbreak began in March, 2020. - Mkini