All states ready to tighten rules on underage marriages, says Mujahid

Selangor has amended its laws on child marriages, while five others – Penang, Sabah, Johor, Melaka, and Perak – are expected to follow suit.

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa says all states have agreed to tighten rules pertaining to underage marriage, even though seven states do not agree with the move to increase the minimum marriage to 18.

Speaking after an event here, Mujahid, who is in charge of Islamic affairs, said this could be seen as a starting point for all states to move towards increasing the marriage age to 18 in the future.

“Seven states do not agree (with increasing the age of marriage) but it is good that they have all agreed to the standard operating procedures meant to tighten rules on underage marriage.

“This means there is hope of convincing them that it is better to set the marriage age at 18 under the law,” he told reporters after launching the Seminar Akademik Antarabangsa at Sekolah Menengah Tsun Jin.

Mujahid said the power to amend the minimum marriage age rested with each state.

“There is no time frame and discussions are ongoing. They involve the women, family and community development ministry, the health ministry and others,” he said.

Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had said that only Selangor had amended its laws on child marriages, while five others – Penang, Sabah, Johor, Melaka, and Perak – are expected to follow suit.

Meanwhile, Sarawak, Pahang, Terengganu, Perlis, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah and Kelantan have refused to raise the marital age. - FMT