Penang to discuss raising Muslim marriage age to 18

 Deputy chief minister Mohamad Abdul Hamid says the minimum age for Muslims to marry in Penang stays at 16 for now.

Penang deputy chief minister Mohamad Abdul Hamid said no discussions have been held on the proposal to raise the marriage age for Muslims. (Envato Elements pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The Penang government will hold engagement sessions to explore the possibility of raising the minimum age for Muslims to marry to 18, says deputy chief minister Mohamad Abdul Hamid.

Selangor and Kedah are the only states that have set this minimum age for marriages at present.

Mohamad said the minimum age for Muslims to marry in Penang remained at 16, Bernama reported.

Mohamed, who is also Penang Islamic religious council president, said the engagement sessions would help gather views on implementing the rule in the state.

“So far, no discussions have been held on the proposal,” he said after witnessing the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Penang Islamic Foundation and Idrissi International School.

Women, family and community development minister Nancy Shukri was previously reported as saying that the government, through her ministry, would continue efforts to gradually standardise the minimum marriage age at 18 nationwide, in close cooperation with state governments.

She said this would require engagement with state religious authorities, relevant agencies and stakeholders, as Islamic family law falls under the jurisdiction of state governments. - FMT