Beyond reconciliation: How the National Population and Family Development Board helps non-Muslim couples part ways peacefully

Dr Sarada Devi R. Subramaniam, a psychology officer and registered counsellor with LPPKN’s Family Well-being Division (Counselling and Intervention Unit) said the project’s success was not only measured by the number of couples who reconciled, but also by helping those who chose to divorce part ways amicably while continuing to fulfil their responsibilities as parents. — Picture by Choo Choy May

First Published: Friday, 25 Sep 2026 7:00 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 — The National Population and Family Development Board’s (LPPKN) Mediator Body Pilot Project extends its support beyond marriage reconciliation, helping non-Muslim couples separate amicably while continuing to fulfil their responsibilities as parents.

Dr Sarada Devi R. Subramaniam, a psychology officer and registered counsellor with LPPKN’s Family Well-being Division (Counselling and Intervention Unit), said the initiative aimed to help couples make mature decisions and understand that their parental responsibilities remained unchanged despite changes in their marital status.

“We don’t force or persuade our clients. We simply give them the space to make mature decisions. You can separate as husband and wife, but you can’t separate as father and mother,” she said during the second season of the KASIH Lensa Keluarga podcast, titled “Bilik Tribunal: Tempat KASIH Diuji, Tempat KASIH Dicari”, which aired last night.

Sarada Devi said the project’s success was not only measured by the number of couples who reconciled, but also by helping those who chose to divorce part ways amicably while continuing to fulfil their responsibilities as parents.

According to her, separating couples must continue to provide financial support and remain involved in their children’s lives, without putting them in the difficult position of choosing between their mother and father, while understanding how prolonged conflict can affect their development and well-being.

The Mediator Body Pilot Project, a collaboration between the National Registration Department (JPN) and LPPKN, provides non-Muslim couples facing marital conflict with counselling and intervention to help them resolve their differences before filing for divorce.

Sarada Devi said the collaboration with JPN enabled registered LPPKN counsellors to assist in handling marriage tribunal cases involving non-Muslim couples by giving both parties a space to share their marital concerns separately.

Couples are then referred to LPPKN for counselling to address the underlying issues affecting their marriage and consider their next steps before attending a joint session to decide whether to continue their marriage or separate.

Sarada Devi said her experience showed that marital conflict often stemmed from communication problems, infidelity, financial difficulties and interference from family members or friends, whose advice could sometimes be biased.

However, she said complaints raised at the start of a session might not always point to the actual cause of the conflict, as financial problems, for instance, could sometimes be linked to emotional neglect.

Sarada Devi said counsellors would provide a safe, confidential and neutral environment for couples to discuss their concerns without fear of judgment, while helping them better understand each other’s emotional needs and love languages, such as appreciation, affectionate touch and quality time.

She added that individuals who come for the sessions alone, such as those whose foreign spouses are overseas and unable to join them, are also guided in planning their post-divorce lives, particularly in managing their finances, careers and responsibilities as single parents.

Sarada Devi advised couples facing prolonged conflict to seek professional help before making decisions about the future of their marriage, and encouraged them to make use of LPPKN programmes such as SMARTSTART to enhance their knowledge and preparedness for married life. — Bernama