ABSTRACT
The Legislative Assembly has a minority of Muslim members, and most Assemblymen are understandably reluctant to antagonize the bulk of the Muslim electorate. Present legislation in Singapore makes no provision for a Muslim to pay maintenance to his divorced wife. Legislators in Singapore have had a difficult task when they have attempted to apply at least some of the provisions of The Women's Charter to Muslims. Most Singapore Muslims have not been brought up to believe that divorce is inherently evil, but rather that broken marriages are common and often inevitable. Muslim reformers thought the time was ripe for unified and stricter legislation in the realm of marriage and divorce, but the more realistic among them were fully aware that such a victory would not be easily won: some of the Malay States have staunchly conservative Muslim groups which are vocal and well organized.
