PUTRAJAYA, Sept 13- The government is studying and fine-tuning certain laws related to women and children which need to be amended to give them greater protection.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri said these laws included Article 14(1)(b) and Article 15 of the Federal Constitution, Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories)(Amendment) 2006 and Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976.
“The Attorney-General’s Chambers is fine-tuning the amendments to Section 13 of the Birth and Death Registration Act 1957 in tackling the issue of illegitimate children and also the legal provisions pertaining to the conversion of children.
“With regard to children of Malaysians born outside the country, although the law has not been amended for administrative purpose, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and Home Ministry have agreed to ease the process,” she said, here, Thursday.
Earlier, Nancy received a courtesy call from the National Council of Women’s Organisations (NCWO) delegation led by its president Prof Tan Sri Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin. Also present was Law Reform Consultative Committee chairman Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin.
Nancy also received a copy of the Malaysian Law Reform memorandum from the NCWO which contains several suggested amendments to the relevant laws to give greater protection to women and children in this country.
The issues touched upon in the memorandum include citizenship, stateless children, illegitimate children, child marriage, family law, derivative pension, Penal Code and Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw).
Nancy, meanwhile, welcomed the cooperation of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) by giving feedback to the government in enhancing the country’s laws.
“The government thanks the NGOs which have contributed a lot and given constructive criticism in this matter.
“The NCWO has done a very good job. The government appreciates it. I hope this smart partnership and initiative among us will continue,” she said.
– BERNAMA
