Child marriage: Deputy minister says policies that don't clash with Islam will go on

Deputy Women and Family Development Minister Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff says policies that don't clash with Islam will continue under the new government.

She will also be pushing her previous policy suggestions for syariah-compliant uniforms for Muslim flight attendants and athletes.

Previously, her predecessor Hannah Yeoh had expressed concern on the future of the national road map to fight child marriage with the PAS lawmaker as deputy minister.

Asked about this, Siti Zailah said she had no qualms with any policies as long as it is in line with the Quran and hadith.

"I am not against good things. Islam prioritises making society better, but it must be based on the Quran and hadith. That is what we believe.

"So God willing, we will review. Any (policies) that don't conflict with the Quran and hadith, we will accept.

"Those that don't, we will refer to ulama, see whether the situation and time are right," she told reporters in Kuala Lumpur this evening.

Speaking specifically on the anti-child marriage road map, Siti Zailah said this would have to be reviewed as child marriage has many factors, including poverty, social issues, and customs.

Hence, she said it was not suitable to use a single formula to solve the issue.

The deputy minister added that she and Women and Family Development Minister Rina Harun are always in discussions with the government to review and improve existing policies.

'Child marriage a blessing'

The National Strategic Plan to Address the Causes of Underage Marriage was launched in January 2020 to curb the problem at the grassroots level.

Then deputy prime minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who launched the plan, said it encompassed seven objectives, 17 strategies and 58 programmes to address these causes in the next five years.

Siti Zailah, who is the Rantau Panjang MP, was previously seen as endorsing child marriage, particularly in a July 2017 parliamentary debate.

"We cannot dispute marriage as stated by Kulai, who disputed why Islam allows underage marriage. For me, this is the guidance of Allah," said Siti Zailah, who at the time was challenging Teo Nie Ching's right to comment on child marriage for Muslims.

She said that there is a difference between sexual offences, which are acts of violence against children, and underage marriage. She described the latter as a blessing.

Syariah-compliant clothes for flight attendants, athletes

Meanwhile, on uniforms for Muslim flight attendants, Siti Zailah said she would be bringing up the matter with de facto Islamic affairs minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri soon.

"I'm confident this is already on their agenda. We need to amend the laws, especially the Employment Act... so that syariah-compliant policies are implemented in the administration of our country," she said.

"This is for Muslims only. For non-Muslims who dress decently, there is no compulsion," she said.

She said that many flight attendants have complained to her that they are uncomfortable wearing skimpy tight-fitting uniforms.

She said she would also be meeting the Youth and Sports Ministry, to discuss syariah-compliant outfits for Muslim athletes.

Siti Zailah had previously been a proponent of syariah-compliant clothing during her previous terms in Parliament. - Mkini