Malaysia legislation
Section 3
of MARRIED WOMEN AND CHILDREN (ENFORCEMENT OF MAINTENANCE) ACT 1968
Section 3
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires "attachment of earnings order" means an order made under section 4;
"the court" means the court competent to make a maintenance order;
Interpretation.
"defendant", in relation to a maintenance order or a related attachment of earnings order, means the person liable to make payments under the maintenance order;
"earnings", in relation to a defendant, means any sums payable to him-
(a)
by way of wages or salary, including any fees, bonus, commission, overtime pay or other emoluments payable in addition to wages or salary by the person paying the wages or salary or payable under a contract of service;
(b)
by way of pension, including gratuity and an annuity in respect of past services, whether or not the services were rendered to the person paying the annuity, and including periodical payments by way of compensation for the loss, abolition or relinquishment, or any diminution in the emoluments, of any office or employment;
"employer" means a person by whom, as a principal and not as a servant or agent, earnings fall to be paid to a defendant, and references to payment of earnings shall be construed accordingly;
"maintenance order" means-
(a)
an order made under section 3 of the Married Women and Children (Maintenance) Act 1950;
(b)
an order for the payment of periodical sums by way of maintenance or alimony to a wife or for the benefit of any child under the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976;
(c)
a maintenance order confirmed by the court under the Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act 1949; and
(d)
where this Act are made applicable by virtue of an authorization under section 14 to or in respect of a maintenance order made by a Syariah Court shall include such order.