A group of Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) has criticised Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun’s earlier statement that Putrajaya has no plans to ban underage marriages at the moment.
According to the group of MPs, Rina’s announcement that she would address the issue through education advocacy, strengthening the family institution and socio-economic support in the community went against all the efforts that had been taken by former minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who was the Women, Family and Community Development minister when the Pakatan Harapan government came to power in 2018.
“Rina has failed previous efforts to ban underage marriages especially during a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has made victims out of girls from underprivileged families who are the most at risk of succumbing to child marriages,” the MPs commented.
“Statistics in 2020 have indicated that 445 school students – 411 female and 34 male – have dropped out of school to get married.
“The minister should continue with previous efforts and consult the seven states that disagreed to amend laws on underage marriages, namely Sarawak, Pahang, Terengganu, Perlis, Negri Sembilan, Kedah and Kelantan.”
To date, only Selangor has amended the minimum legal marriage age for Muslims to 18 years old while the federal territories (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan), Penang, Sabah, Johor, Melaka and Perak have agreed to amend their Islamic family laws.
“We thereby urge the Women, Family and Community Development Minister to refocus on the concrete steps [to ban underage marriages] in line with the responsibility and trust to protect women, children and vulnerable communities,” the MPs said.
“Efforts to protect and curb the exploitation of children need to begin with legislative reforms that have already begun in two states with five more states well on their way. Stop making excuses and ignore previous efforts.”
The statement was undersigned by Nurul Izzah Anwar (PH-Permatang Pauh), Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PH-Pandan), Fuziah Salleh (PH-Kuantan), Maria Chin Abdullah (PH-Petaling Jaya), Natrah Ismail (PH-Sekijang), Nor Azrina Surip @ Nurin Aina (PH-Merbok), Fuziah Salleh (PH-Kuantan), Rusnah Aluai (PH-Tangga Batu), June Leow Hsiao Hui (PH-Hulu Selangor) and Dewan Negara Senator Fadhlina Sidek. – March 22, 2022
