THE Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry’s decision not to ban child marriage and instead “manage” it via other means is a poor excuse that frustrates all previous efforts by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government to stop the practice, opposition lawmakers said.

Responding to minister Rina Harun’s written reply that Putrajaya would not ban child marriage but discourage it through other measures, opposition MPs said she is making excuses and should instead continue the plans set in place by the previous PH government.

“The stand of the minister that Putrajaya has no plans to ban underage marriage and to only ‘manage’ the issue through education, advocacy, strengthening family institutions and socio-economic support in society is contrary to the efforts and measures that were taken by the former minister under PH and its administration.

“Furthermore, the National Strategic Plan initiated by Dr Wan Azizah Ismail is a coupling to the concrete action to amend the law to address the problem of underage marriage.

“The plan contains action programmes involving 61 agencies at the federal and state levels,” they said.

The statement was signed by Nurul Izzah Anwar (Permatang Pauh-PH), Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (Pandan-PH), Fuziah Salleh (Kuantan-PH), Maria Chin Abdullah (Petaling Jaya-PH), Natrah Ismail (Sekijang-PH), Nor Azrina Surip (Merbok-PH), Rusnah Aluai (Tangga Batu-PH), June Leow Hsiao Hui (Hulu Selangor-PH) and senator Fadhlina Sidek.

Wan Azizah was women, family and community development minister under the PH government.

The MPs said the strategic blueprint that has been established covers Islamic family law, including Islamic law, marriage and state customs, which fall under state jurisdiction in the Ninth Schedule, Part Two, List of States, Federal Constitution, through draft amendments to the Islamic Family Law Act 1984 (Act 303), which seeks to set the minimum age of marriage for women to 18 years.

They said Rina’s stance has thwarted previous efforts, especially during a time when girls from underprivileged families are at risk of falling victim to child marriage.

They cited statistics that showed that in 2020, a total of 445 school students were found not to have graduated from school due to marriage. It involved 411 female students and 34 male students.

“The minister should continue with previous efforts and consult with seven states that have not agreed to amend the relevant legislation, namely Sarawak, Pahang, Terengganu, Perlis, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, and Kelantan.

“Selangor has acted to amend its enactments while five others have agreed to amend their legislation – including the Federal Territories, Penang, Sabah, Johor, Malacca and Perak.

“I urge the women’s minister to return to concrete steps in line with the responsibility and trust to protect women, children, and vulnerable communities.”

“Efforts to protect and curb the exploitation of children need to begin with legislative reforms that have already begun in two states – with the readiness of five more.” – March 22, 2022.