Dr Wan Azizah: Govt to study, probe into alleged child marriage

ALOR STAR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will conduct a study and thorough investigation into the case of an 11-year-old girl who allegedly married a 41-year-old rubber trader in Gua Musang, Kelantan.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said she had received a report on the case and asked the Social Welfare Department to meet the girl’s mother to get more information.

“An investigation must be conducted because it involves the state Syariah Enactment.

“We have to look into why it happened. Was it caused by poverty, education, family issues or other problems?” she said after visiting the Sungai Kedah/Anak Bukit Flood Mitigation Plan project here yesterday.

In Putrajaya, a statement from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry said it viewed the case seriously.

It said initial investigations found that the girl and her 41year-old husband had applied for the marriage to be registered voluntarily.

However, it said, if a girl under 16 was married without a written consent from the Syariah Court judge, it would be considered an offence under Section 40 of the Kelantan Islamic Family Law Enactment.

“There are no records in court or the Gua Musang Religious Office allowing the marriage.”

If found guilty, the individual concerned could be fined up to RM1,000, or jailed up to six months, or both.

The statement also said investigations found that the marriage was held in Golok, Thailand.

“The agreement between her parents and the husband was that she would only live with the man after she turns 16,” it said.

The statement said the National Council for Children and Child Welfare had formed a task force, comprising government agencies, academicians and child activists, to look into the issue of underage marriages.

On Umno’s accounts being frozen by the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission, which was seen as bullying, Dr Wan Azizah said this was done according to the law.

“MACC is following the standard operating procedure. If there is nothing, the accounts will not be frozen for long. But, if there is something, then it must be investigated. If we find millions, of course we have to investigate,” she said.