Minimum marriage age remains at 18 for boys, 16 for girls

KOTA KINABALU: The minimum age for marriage in Sabah has been maintained at 18 years old for males and 16 years old for females.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal said this was decided during the government's cabinet meeting.

He also said they came to the decision after listening to the explanation of Sabah Mufti Datuk Bongsu @ Aziz Jaafar.

Shafie said Bongsu had explained that the opinions he gave were his own personal views as a religious figure and was not a ruling or fatwa.

"He (Bongsu) opined that it was alright to follow the present age of 18 and 16, but choices should also be given at some circumstances to enable marriage at 14 years old for girls and 16 years old for boys," he told reporters after chairing a State Action Council (MTN) meeting here yesterday.

He added that the factors include culture, tradition and safety issues.

Last month, Bongsu proposed that the age limit be reduced to 14 years old for girls and 16 years old for boys, but his proposal received various reactions from leaders, nongovernmental organisations and even members of the community. Many objected to his proposal. On MTN, Shafie said development projects in the state, especially federal projects should be monitored with the cooperation of the state government.

He said these projects implemented by the ministries at federal level could use the manpower of the ministry at state level to ensure the projects proceeded smoothly.

“Let us not operate in isolation. Our objective is to give the best service to the people," he said.