Wanita MCA urges PN gov’t to outlaw child marriages

Wanita MCA has urged the Perikatan Nasional government to outlaw child marriages in a bid to protect the welfare and human rights of children.

“Wanita MCA hopes that the new Perikatan Nasional (PN) government will amend laws and take proactive measures to raise public awareness that child marriage has negative consequences on a child’s physical and mental development, education and economic opportunities,” Wanita MCA chairperson Heng Seai Kie (photo) said in a statement today.

Child spouses, added Heng, were particularly at risk of domestic violence, sexual abuse and remain trapped in poverty.

“As Malaysia is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), decisions made on issues involving children should be based on the welfare and best interests of the child," she said.

Heng pointed out that there are specific provisions in the federal legislation which criminalise child marriages, citing section 611 of the Child’s Act 2001, section 792 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and the Penal Code.

“Therefore, the government should prohibit child marriages regardless of race or religion.

“In fact, all decisions must be made thrusted on the Federal Constitution and in compliance with Malaysia being a signatory of the CRC,” she added.

Newly appointed Deputy Women and Family Development Minister Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (above) on Friday had said that policies that do not clash with Islam will continue under the new government.

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.

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

Meanwhile, Heng cited Sisters in Islam which had pointed out how many Muslim-majority countries had raised the minimum age of marriage.

“Since the Parliament of Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, had voted to raise the minimum legal marriage age to 19 years, why can’t Malaysia amend our laws to 18 years?

“In drafting or making changes to policies and legislations, it is pertinent to widen people’s mindset, adopt a bipartisan approach, whilst upholding the Malaysian spirit to transcend race and religion, and take into account and safeguard the rights and welfare of the entire population,” she said.

- Mkini