Seek Marital Guidance From Official Religious Authorities, Not 'Coach Cerai'

KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims should refer to official religious authorities for marital advice rather than unauthorised "divorce coaches" (coach cerai), says Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli. She urged the public to seek guidance from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) or state Islamic affairs departments, noting that these authorities have trained personnel equipped to handle such matters. "These are the religious authorities when it comes to the family institution in Islam, be it marriages or divorces," she told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Jan 20). Marhamah explained that official counselling platforms allow couples to identify the source of conflicts, improve communication and find just solutions. ALSO READ: Malaysia recorded 190,304 marriages, 60,457 divorces in 2024, says Stats Dept "Any advice from unauthorised individuals may not only cause confusion but also potentially destroy households," she added. The Deputy Minister was responding to a question from Zulkifli Ismail (PN-Jasin) regarding the government's stance on the "coach cerai" phenomenon. The issue recently gained social media attention after individuals began offering marital and post-divorce advice, leading to concerns from religious authorities about the potential normalisation of divorce as a first resort.