WOMEN'S CHARTER (Waiting period for divorce)

Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for Social Affairs if he will consider introducing legislation to amend Section 82 of the Women's Charter to allow couples to take divorce proceedings after a separation period of three years instead of seven years as provided in the law.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng) (for the Minister for Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, the proposal to reduce the waiting period for divorce is controversial, and the rising divorce rate clearly indicates that we need to be circumspect before introducing amendments to the Women's Charter to permit divorce on the ground that the parties have lived separately for any period shorter than the present period of seven years. Over the last five years, the rate of divorce has more than doubled - from 304 cases in 1972 to 803 in 1976. Although the figures for divorces are low when compared with the total number of marriages, nevertheless they indicate an unhealthy trend. We will have to continue to monitor the situation before considering a reduction of the period during which the parties have lived apart as a ground for divorce.

Ever since it became publicly known that my Ministry appointed a Committee to review the Women's Charter. the press and some individuals have been speculating on the changes that would be made in our divorce laws. Some well-meaning, but obviously not really down-to-earth, suggestions have been made regarding the waiting period for divorce. Strangely, a proposal was made by some women's organisations to amend the law to permit divorce to be granted on the ground that the parties have been living separately for a period of only one year. Mr Speaker, Sir, as you are aware, the Women's Charter permits a divorce to be granted where the parties have been living separately for a period of not less than seven years and reconciliation is unlikely. At a time when we should strengthen the family unit, will it help to make divorce easier?

In some countries where the laws have been changed to make divorce easier, the rate of divorce has multiplied. In certain western countries where divorce can be obtained easily, marriages appear to have lost their sanctity, but it is the children of such marriages who always suffer. A united family gives strength to our social fabric and a marriage must therefore be regarded as an institution to be cherished and preserved. For this reason, we cannot afford to make changes in our marriage and divorce laws without careful deliberation. If after thorough investigation we find amendments can be made which will ease irreconcilable couples in getting divorces earlier but without weakening either the family unit or the institution of marriage, we shall do so.

Mr Ho See Beng (Khe Bong): Sir, by insisting that the separated couple should wait for a period of seven years, are we not encouraging immorality because we cannot expect a man and a woman to remain angelic for seven years?

Mr Speaker: What is your supplementary question, Mr Ho?

Mr Ho See Beng: Is the Senior Parliamentary Secretary not encouraging immorality by insisting on a seven-year period?

Mr Chan Chee Song: Sir, the Member for Khe Bong said that when a married couple live separately, he or she might indulge in immorality. Is he implying that all men and women in Singapore likewise do? Even if this immorality were existent, I do not think it deserves a reduction of the seven-year period.

Dr Ong Leong Boon (Kim Song): Sir, is there any indication to show that a seven-year period is a necessary deterrent against divorce than, say, a three-year waiting period?

Mr Chan Chee Seng: In my answer I have said that we are monitoring these cases. If this does not seem a very reasonable period, we will reconsider the case.

Mr Ho See Beng: Sir, does the Senior Parliamentary Secretary agree that a seven-year period is too long?

Mr Chan Chee Song: At the moment, no, Sir.