PENGABAIAN NAFKAH ‘IDDAH: PERSPEKTIF HUKUM SYARAK DAN UNDANG-UNDANG KELUARGA ISLAM DI MALAYSIA

THE FAILURE TO PROVIDE ‘IDDAH MAINTENANCE: AN ANALYSIS FROM THE PERSPECTIVES OF SYARIAH LAW AND ISLAMIC FAMILY LAW IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Iddah maintenance is one of the wife’s rights after divorce that must be fulfilled by the former husband according to Islamic law and Islamic family law in Malaysia. Although this obligation is clearly enshrined in statutory provisions and Islamic family enactments, in practice, the neglect of iddah maintenance continues to occur, particularly in the state of Kelantan. This study aims to analyse the concept and legal basis of iddah maintenance from the perspective of Islamic law, examine the relevant provisions of Islamic family law in Malaysia, and identify the factors contributing to the neglect of iddah maintenance by former husbands. This study adopts a qualitative design through document analysis and semi-structured interviews with 
Syariah court officers, Syariah lawyers and women involved in iddah maintenance neglect cases. The findings indicate that key challenges include delays in judicial processes, the irresponsible attitude of former husbands, weaknesses in enforcement mechanisms, and a low level of awareness regarding the obligation of iddah maintenance. The study proposes several improvements in court procedures, the expansion of Syariah legal aid for the B40 group, and the strengthening of enforcement mechanisms, such as automatic salary deductions and blacklisting, in order to enhance compliance with iddah maintenance orders and to protect women’s rights after divorce. 

Abstrak

Nafkah ‘iddah merupakan salah satu hak isteri selepas perceraian yang wajib ditunaikan oleh bekas suami menurut hukum syarak dan undang-undang keluarga Islam di Malaysia. Walaupun kewajipan ini telah diperuntukkan secara jelas dalam akta dan enakmen kekeluargaan Islam, realiti menunjukkan masih wujud pengabaian nafkah ‘iddah, khususnya di negeri Kelantan. Kajian ini bertujuan menganalisis konsep dan pensyariatan nafkah ‘iddah dari perspektif hukum syarak, menilai peruntukan undang-undang keluarga Islam di Malaysia berkaitan nafkah ‘iddah, serta mengenal pasti faktor-faktor yang menyumbang kepada pengabaian nafkah tersebut oleh bekas suami. Kajian ini menggunakan reka bentuk kualitatif melalui 
analisis dokumen dan temu bual separa berstruktur bersama pegawai mahkamah syariah, peguam syarie, serta wanita yang terlibat dalam kes pengabaian nafkah ‘iddah. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan antara cabaran utama ialah kelewatan proses penghakiman, sikap lepas tangan bekas suami, kelemahan mekanisme penguatkuasaan, serta tahap kesedaran yang rendah terhadap kewajipan nafkah ‘iddah. Kajian ini mencadangkan penambahbaikan dari sudut prosedur mahkamah, perluasan bantuan guaman syarie kepada golongan B40, serta pengukuhan mekanisme penguatkuasaan seperti potongan gaji automatik dan senarai hitam bagi meningkatkan pematuhan terhadap perintah nafkah ‘iddah dan seterusnya membela hak 
wanita pasca perceraian.