GOVT WORKING TO UP MARRIAGE AGE TO 18

Papers being prepared to raise minimum age for Muslims, non-Muslims, says DPM

THE government has initiated moves to raise the minimum age of marriage from 16 to 18. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail yesterday said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and Women, Family and Community Development Ministry had been directed to prepare a paper to raise the age of marriage for Muslims.

“This paper will be presented to the Meeting of Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers to garner support from the states.

“Selangor’s move to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 should be emulated by other states,” said Dr Wan Azizah, who is women, family and community development minister.

She said a Cabinet Paper was being prepared to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 for non-Muslims.

For customary marriages, she said, customary heads would be informed about underage marriages’ danger to the health and safety of a child.

“Amending the law takes time. While waiting for that, the ministry will meet the Syariah Judiciary Department on stricter and more thorough guidelines for syariah court judges in approving child marriages.”

She said she spoke to Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (religious affairs) and Datuk Liew Vui Keong (law and parliamentary affairs) to look at loopholes and inconsistencies between syariah and civil laws on child marriages.

“I have instructed my officers to examine laws to ensure the welfare of children is taken care of.

“Amending laws is only part of the solution.

“A holistic approach must include education, welfare nets, poverty eradication and support systems.

“The protection and rights of children is of paramount importance to me, and I will not compromise on that,” she said, adding that marriage should not be used as a way out of poverty.

She highlighted the risk factors of pregnancy and childbirth at a young age, which she said must be taken into account.

Dr Wan Azizah also clarified her recent statement on the marriage of a 15-year-old to a 44year-old divorcee in Kelantan, saying her explanation was based on a report from Social Welfare Department officers.

“The report said the marriage was sanctioned by the Tumpat Lower Syariah Court and is legal according to current laws.

“I wish to reiterate that I am against child marriages and do not condone it. The best interest of the child must always be considered.

“What I said was just a descriptive statement of what the child explained to my officers.”