Kuching Indians support minimum marriage age
KUCHING: The Indian community here supports and abides by the government’s ruling on marriageable age which is set above 18 years.
Indian Association Kuching ( IAK) president Nadison Rathenum said this was one of the resolutions made during the 7th Cultural Symposium for the Indian community last month.
“During the symposium, there were two papers presented - on child marriages by Vimala Murugiah and Sarawak Indian women empowerment in digital era by Dr Lalitha Narayanan,” he said at the Malam Deepavali dinner held at IAK Hall on Saturday.
Other resolutions are to declare Deepavali as a state public holiday, to give more job opportunities to Indian graduates in the civil service, urge the government to give permanent residency to ‘Indian brothers and sisters’ from West Malaysia who are giving their services here and who are either married locally or have been residing in Sarawak for a long time, to request for nonpolitical appointment of Ketua Kaum, Penghulu or Kapitan amongst local Indians here.
The resolutions will be forwarded to the main cultural symposium committee for compilation and further action, he said.
The symposium also included a cultural exhibition at Plaza Merdeka.
He added that the Chief Minister will personally meet the Indian community at the closing of the symposium which will be held later.
Earlier, he said Deepavali celebration here is not just about the triumph of good over evil or light over darkness, but incredible success in living in a multiracial, multicultural and multi-religious Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the celebration is one way for everyone to come together and celebrate, learning about one another and as Sarawakians, use this diversity to strengthen their unity.
He also reminded IAK members to remember the less fortunate and help them by bringing light into their life.
His text of speech was read by councillor Goh Tze Hui.
At the event, guests were entertained to traditional Indian dances and traditional Indian musical instruments.
There was excellence award presentation for outstanding students in public examinations.