{
  "id": 15350364,
  "title": "Kahwin sivil bukan ambil alih peranan pemimpin agama, jelas JPN",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/kahwin-sivil-bukan-ambil-alih-peranan-pemimpin-agama-jelas-jpn",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T04:51:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/10/18/kahwin-sivil-bukan-ambil-alih-peranan-pemimpin-agama-jelas-jpn"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "JPN clarifies that civil marriage ceremonies, governed by the Civil Marriage and Divorce Act 1976 (Act 164), cannot be equated with religious religious rituals or perceived as taking over leadership roles in religious affairs. The National Registration Department (JPN) explained that this function is a legal responsibility carried out according to national law. Each religion has its own marriage ceremonies, customs and practices, whether Buddhist, Christian, Hindu or any other, while religious rituals are the responsibility of the believers and their religious leaders. Legally, civil marriages for non-Muslim couples must be performed and registered according to the requirements set to ensure the marriage is legally recognized, JPN stated in a statement. Act 164 grants authority to registered marriage officers and assistant marriage officers to conduct and register civil marriages. Such marriages can be performed at JPN offices or private homes of worship and community associations with a registered marriage officer, subject to legal conditions and procedures. JPN emphasized that the nation always respects religious freedom and the diversity of Malaysian customs and traditions, while adhering to civil marriage laws is crucial to preserving the rights and interests of couples, children and family institutions. The department also reminded the public to understand the facts and legal provisions related to civil marriage before interpreting or spreading information, especially regarding issues touching on religious sensitivity. Everyone must respect national legal provisions and not use differences between civil matters and religious practices as justification for spreading inaccurate or misleading rumors about society, according to the statement.",
  "summary": "Perkahwinan pasangan bukan Islam perlu dilaksana dan didaftar ikut undang-undang bagi mengesahkan status perkahwinan.",
  "key_points": [
    "Civil marriage ceremonies governed by Act 164, not religious rituals",
    "JPN clarifies legal distinction between civil and religious marriages",
    "Respect for religious freedom emphasized while enforcing civil marriage laws"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The National Registration Department's clarification establishes a legal boundary between state-mandated civil registration and religious rituals to prevent public misconceptions regarding the authority of religious leaders in Malaysia.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Kahwin sivil bukan ambil alih peranan pemimpin agama, jelas JPN",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/kahwin-sivil-bukan-ambil-alih-peranan-pemimpin-agama-jelas-jpn-15351123",
        "published": "2026-10-18T04:51:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}