Divorce cases up in Malang

Divorce cases up in Malang

MALANG, East Java: Divorce rates among Muslim couples here
have increased slightly from 826 cases in 1998 to 863 cases last
year, Antara reported on Friday.

Rodiah, a staff member at the local Ministry of Religious
Affairs office, told the agency that most divorces were initiated
by wives who claimed they were ignored by their husbands.

Officials said in 790 cases which were settled in 1999, 312
wives demanded to separate from their husbands because of failed
psychological and physical relations. Meanwhile, 284 women cited
economic reasons for the divorce, Rodiah said.

During the Ramadhan fasting month, which covered 30 days
starting in early December last year, divorce cases dropped by 50
percent from previous months.

"In December there were only 47 cases," the official said.
(prb)