Group hands over ‘end child marriage’ petition to MPs
ABOUT 80 women’s rights activists, school students and public members marched to the Parliament yesterday morning to submit a signed petition for MPs to expedite a ban on child marriages in Malaysia.
Led by organisers of #PelajarBukan Pengantin, #SchoolNotSpouse, #WhenIWas11, and #EndChildMarriage, the demonstrators gathered peacefully at the entrance to the Parliament at 8.30am, holding placards and chanting slogans.
The students involved, including some Girl Guides, were in uniforms.
They were met by MPs Hannah Yeoh (Segambut ), Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (Sepang), Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan) and Fuziah Salleh (Kuantan), who received the petition which garnered 159,700 signatures.
Yeoh, who is the Women, Family and Community Development deputy minister, said the government is listening and will do the necessary to push for an end to child marriage in Malaysia.
“The government will always do what is best in the interest of the child. As it stands, we are making efforts to amend the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 for non-Muslims. As for Muslims, we have to consult the Malay rulers and state governments on this issue,” she said.
Fuziah, who also addressed the crowd, said the National Fatwa Council had in 2014 issued a ruling stating that child marriages do more harm than good.
“This is what the council has decided and I will work to ensure this is realised,” she said. – by Timothy Achariam