KELANTAN police will only investigate the 41-year-old man who has taken a 11-year-old child as his third wife if there is criminal element involved, said state deputy police chief Din Ahmad.

He however confirmed that a police report was lodged yesterday at the Gua Musang Police Station by the 34-year-old second wife of the man.

“The religious department will probably call him up (to give a statement), we will only go after him if there is any criminal element, or element of threats involved.

“There is no element of threats, that’s why there is criminal offence in this case,” he said in a press conference held at the Kelantan Police Contingent Headquarters in Kota Baru, Kelantan today.

Video of the press conference was shared on the state’s police Facebook account.

Din said religious authorities would investigate the matter and the probe could be done under the Family Law Act 2002 for marriage involving those under the age of 18.

The man had married the girl in a ceremony in Thailand on June 18, without the consent of his first and second wives.

Both the 11-year-old girl, identified as Ayu, and her parents claim the marriage is consensual.

The man had said that he was merely trying to provide for the Thai girl and her family, adding that their marriage was officiated on paper but had yet to be consummated. Her father worked as rubber tapper.

He said they had undergone ‘nikah gantung’ (suspended marriage) and the girl, who is out of school, is still under the care of her parents.

‘Nikah gantung’ is a term to describe a type of Muslim marriage or an official engagement until an agreed-upon time. While the couple can be seen in public and recognised as husband and wife, they cannot engage in sexual activity.

Despite growing opposition, the man said he will remain married to the girl.

The case has drawn criticism from Malaysians and some quarters are calling for the government to step in and review existing marriage laws to better protect children. – July 1, 2018.