Lim Biow Chuan on Family Justice Reform Bill

Parties who delay maintenance payments to frustrate the applicants should not be allowed to walk away without consequences once they pay up the arrears, said MP Lim Biow Chuan in Parliament on Monday (May 8). He said the Family Justice Courts should be given the power to make interim orders where necessary to ensure that applicants who are financially stretched are able to receive the maintenance they are entitled to. If Maintenance Enforcement Officers (MEOs) ascertain that the respondent is deliberately refusing to make payment, they should not hesitate to attach the person’s salary or other assets to enforce the order. The court should also consider ordering that the respondent’s credit cards be cancelled until the arrears of maintenance are settled. If a respondent is found to be wilfully disobedient in refusing to pay, the court should punish the person for wasting the time of the applicant, MEO and court. Mr Lim also asked how a reasonable variation order will be made in instances where the respondent’s circumstances have changed, such as losing their job or remarrying and having to support another family. He also asked for the rationale behind providing for judges to interview children if the court is to consider the wishes of the child. He said he had reservations as a judge is not a trained counsellor.