Cross-Border Marriages in Malaysia: A Reflection from Survey

Abstract

The paper aims to discuss the application of the laws and the general understanding of cross-border marriages among Muslims in Malaysia. This socio-legal research used quantitative method and legal doctrinal research. The data have been obtained through the survey with 400 respondents, who have been practising cross-border marriage.The data have been analyzed using Statistical Packages Social Sciences(SPSS) version 22. Research shows that the practice of cross-border marriage among Muslims in Malaysia is caused by the lack of knowledge of those who have been practising cross-border marriages as well as the weaknesses of the implementation of the law. Apart from that, lack of enforcement agencies in Malaysia causes injustice for the parties especially women and children. This vulnerable parties will suffer in terms of social and legal effects. This article is a preamble to a more extensive study of the cross-border marriage which the findings will be useful for further enhancement of the current legal provisions in Malaysia. Contribution/ Originality: This study contributes in the existing literature about the understanding and protection to related parties of marriage especially the wives and children born to the marriage. The understanding will help in protecting themselves when they are in or outside the situation; i.e. it could assist them to survive through or to evade it. Thus, it is believed that this study could assist in solving such problems and conflicts that had not been resolved until this day. Golok, in Rantau Panjang. 2 Those who prefer to use the sea, there are boat and ferry services from Kuala Perlis to 1 Ibid.