Kelantan: Underage marriage is necessary

A ROUNDTABLE by state agencies in Kelantan has determined that underage marriage is a necessity and in accordance with Islamic laws, reported Utusan Malaysia.

This was part of the seven resolutions tabled during the discussions on Nov 28.

The roundtable rejected two United Nations conventions on children and women, which did not allow for children under 18 to be married.

Stakeholders at the roundtable contended that the two conventions were not suitable for Muslims in Kelantan as there were social ills.

The state, they said, also had strict laws before agreeing to child marriages and there was no need to amend these.

The current Islamic Family Law Enactment of Kelantan sets the minimum marriageable age at 18 for boys and 16 for girls.

> The daily also reported that local singer Ella was contented to be the Rock Queen of Malaysia for now.

However, she said she would not turn down a Datukship.

“I won’t say no if there is someone who wants to bestow me a Datukship but for now, what is bestowed upon me by my fans is the best recognition,” said the 52-yearold.

> Metro Harian reported that a rape suspect in Beijing, China, who used his pet snake to scare his vic- tim, died after he was bitten by the reptile.

The suspect was believed to have been playing with the snake in the bathtub when it bit him.

A CCTV recording showed the poisonous snake slithering out of the room. It was later caught by firemen.

Police had been trying to arrest the man ever since a woman reported that she was raped by the suspect who threatened her with the snake.