Divorce by text will attract fines

Malaysia's Islamic court is to come down harder on husbands who take divorce into their own hands, including those who use attempt divorce by text message, according to official news agency Bernama. The Muslim court may fine husbands who divorce their wives through the short messaging service (SMS) RM 1,000 (US$263.12) and above.

Raising the fine or six months imprisonment, which is the penalty for divorcing one's wife outside Islamic court, may be within the powers given to the Islamic Development Department, said its Director-General Mohamed Shahir Abdullah. The department oversees the country's Islamic courts.