THE Tabung Haji (TH) accounts of depositors who fail to pay “nafkah” (alimony) to their ex-wives and children should be frozen, said chief syarie judge Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

He said the move is to ensure that every depositor who is a prospective pilgrim is debt-free.

The Shariah Judiciary Department will hold a meeting with TH next week to discuss the matter, he added.

“These people (depositors) need to pay their alimony debt before fulfilling the fifth pillar of Islam.

“This method will help unjust ex-husbands (who do not pay alimony) to be debt-free, especially as it involves debt with ex-wives and children.

“We want to ensure they perform the haj as a debt-free servant of God,” he said at a press conference on the issue of alimony and “hiwalah” (debt transfer) in Putrajaya today.

His suggestion follows the government’s announcement on the freezing of bank accounts of individuals who fail to pay alimony to their ex-wives.

Putrajaya made the move in the best interest of women, especially those divorced by their husbands.

Na’im said the department is also planning to meet with Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) to make a similar proposal.

“After meeting TH, we will meet with PNB to propose to freeze the shares of those who fail to pay alimony to their ex-wives and children.” – Bernama, March 25, 2022.