‘Stop giving consent for child marriages’
permission of the chief minister.
Wan Azizah, who is also Women, Family and Community Development minister, said she was told it was the second time the girl received a proposal from the man. The girl and her parents are Thai nationals but are living in Gua Musang as the parents are working there.
“My officers went to Gua Musang right after the news went viral on Saturday to look for him, but he has apparently run away and is unreachable at the moment. However, we were able to meet the parents of the girl, and I am now waiting for the full written report,” she said, adding she would be meeting Social Welfare Department officials today.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail urged Islamic authorities to stop giving consent for child marriages as it would only encourage sexual violence against children.
“Suhakam is troubled that possible paedophilia activities can be legalised with a marriage between an adult and child, with the consent of a syariah court judge or state chief minister or minister.
“We are concerned that religious justifications supported by law may be used to provide cover for paedophiles and child sexual predators who marry children.
“Suhakam urges syariah court judges and the authorities to stop doing so.”
In urging the new government to keep to its election promise to set the minimum age for marriage at 18, he said zero tolerance to underage marriage must be enforced at every level of society, adding that religious practices must not supersede the fundamental rights of a child.
Several women’s non-governmental organisations also welcomed Wan Azizah’s announcement, saying the law is in urgent need of amendments.
Women’s Centre for Change executive director Loh Cheng Kooi said this legislative reform must be applied across the board, including to non-Muslims.
Women’s Aid Organisation communications officer Tan Heang-Lee said amendments to ban child marriages should also be passed in each state legislative assembly.
“This is because Islamic family law is under the purview of individual states.”