Malaysia legislation
Section 13
of MARRIED WOMEN AND CHILDREN (ENFORCEMENT OF MAINTENANCE) ACT 1968
Section 13
(2)
If the defendant neglects or fails to comply with any order made by the court under subsection (1), the court making the order may call upon the defendant to show cause why he has neglected or failed to comply with the said order.
(3)
If sufficient cause is not shown and the sum of money payable and due under the maintenance order is not paid, the court may proceed to recover the same by issuing a warrant for the attachment and the sale of the property belonging to the defendant.
(4)
Except for a warrant of attachment issued by the High Court, a warrant for the attachment and the sale of the property belonging to a defendant under subsection (3) may be executed anywhere within West Malaysia, but if it is required to be executed outside the State in which it is issued, it shall be endorsed by a Magistrate of the First Class having jurisdiction in the State in which it is to be executed.
(5)
If the sum of money so payable and due be not paid and cannot be recovered by such attachment and sale, the court may direct that the defendant shall suffer imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month for every such neglect or failure to comply with the order of the court made under subsection (1):
Provided that—
(a)
such imprisonment shall terminate whenever the amount so due and payable has been paid or recovered by the process of law;
MARRIED WOMEN AND CHILDREN (ENFORCEMENT 13 OF MAINTENANCE)
(b)
notwithstanding any written law to the contrary the person for whose maintenance the maintenance order is made or the guardian of such person shall not be required to pay or to contribute towards the upkeep or maintenance of the defendant in prison, if he has been directed to be imprisoned under this subsection; and
(c)
notwithstanding imprisonment under this subsection the defendant shall not be absolved from the obligation to pay the said sum of money so due and payable in respect of which he has neglected or failed to make payment.