‘MARRIAGE NOT LEGAL, BUT VALID’

Kelantan Islamic law allows children below 16 to marry with permission from syariah court judge, says DPM

DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the marriage between a 41-year-old rubber trader and an 11-year-old girl is valid under Islam, even after the man was fined RM1,800 by the Gua Musang Syariah Court.

She said under the Kelantan Islamic law, children below 16 were allowed to get married with permission from a syariah court judge.

“Legally, it is not valid, but under Islamic law it is.”

Dr Wan Azizah, who is women, family and community development minister, was commenting on the case where a man was fined for two charges of unauthorised marriage and unapproved polygamy.

The man, who pleaded guilty to both charges, was fined RM900 for each offence.

He is required to register his marriage in Kelantan to have it validated, but will have to seek permission from a syariah court judge for approval.

It was reported that the government was working with the National Fatwa Council to push the age limit for marriages to 18.

On the amount of fine imposed, Dr Wan Azizah said it was a slap on the wrist.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the family involved in the case had asked that their privacy be respected.

Dr Wan Azizah said this was because the families of both parties had other children who were affected by the viral news.

“This is too much for them. I understand because when my husband was taken as prisoner, my family had some sort of problem.”

Asked about the child bride, Dr Wan Azizah said the girl was in Malaysia and had undergone two counselling sessions.

“Our checks did not reveal any sign of abuse on the girl.”