Penang keen to increase minimum marriageable age to 18
BUKIT MERTAJAM: Penang has agreed to increase the minimum marriageable age from 16 to 18 to give young couples more time to better equip themselves with necessary knowledge before tying the knot.
However, the decision will be finalised only when the state government receives the report from the Penang Islamic Religious Department (JAIPP).
State Women, Family, Gender Inclusiveness and Non-Islamic Religion Committee chairman Chong Eng said they had discussed the matter with the authorities.
She said increasing the minimum marriageable age to 18 was a good proposal as young couples could better prepare themselves.
“We agree with the Federal Government’s proposal and will implement it after we receive JAIPP’s report.
“JAIPP is obtaining arguments and feedback from concerned parties.”
Chong said this after a press conference on a forum on underage marriage, which will be held on Oct 20 at the Seberang Prai Municipal Council auditorium.
Professionals in the field have been invited to share their thoughts, including Penang Mufti Datuk Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor.
Chong said findings from the forum would be used by JAIPP to complete its report.
“We are holding this forum because the topic needs to be addressed for the best solution.
“It is a platform for us to get the views of all parties before implementing a new ruling on the matter.”
Recently, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail revealed that from 2013 to last year, 1,845 children had married adult partners.
Of the total, 968 were non-Muslims and 877 were Muslims.
As such, Chong said underage marriage was no longer a race issue, but a national issue that needed attention.