KUALA LUMPUR – The federal government has no plans to amend the minimum age of marriage for Muslim girls from 16 to 18, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Idris Ahmad said the decision was made, after taking into consideration the views of the respective state governments in the country.
Idris – who is also senator – said based on consultations with states through various forums, most of them agreed in principle to maintain the age limit for marriage at 18 (boys) and 16 (girls).
“After considering feedback and views from the states, the government – through the Malaysian Islamic Development Department shariah legal policy secretariat meeting on September 22 – decided that there is no need to amend the minimum age of marriage for Muslim girls.”
However, to ensure the interests of all quarters are protected, Idris said the Shariah Judiciary Department had taken measures so that underage individuals applying for marriage must go through a stringent assessment process.
This is done via underage marriage application standard operating procedures (SOPs), of which a circular on the matter has been issued to all states.
The SOPs include detailing the reason for the marriage; the family backgrounds of those getting married; their financial standing, education, and health statuses; and their understanding towards marriage.
According to Idris, since the SOPs had been introduced in September 2018, the number of approved child marriages dropped to 2,098 compared to 2,885 in the three preceding years.
Idris was responding to a question from Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan-PH) on efforts by the federal government to increase the age limit for marriage to 18, as well as measures taken to curb child marriages.
In her supplementary question, Kasthuri said at the moment, only Selangor has officially amended its law to make 18 the minimum age for marriage, while Penang, Sabah, Johor, Melaka, Perak, and the federal territories have also agreed to do so.
This leaves Sarawak, Pahang, Perlis, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, and Kelantan with no expressed desire to increase the age limit.
“I would like to know the minister’s plan to lobby and ensure all states will join in amending their respective shariah enactments,” she said.
Idris responded that any issue pertaining to Islamic affairs is under the sole jurisdiction of the states, and that the federal government has no say in it.
“We respect this, but we have imposed strict SOPs to ensure no cruelty happens,” he said. – The Vibes, December 16, 2021
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