PATSAMA Ismail, mother of the 41-year-old who married an 11-year-old girl, said she was not aware of her son’s plan to wed and that she does not approve of it.

“Usually local girls marry after 16. (But) he is a grown-up now. He won’t listen,” said the 64-year-old owner of a grocery store in Kg Kuala Betis in Gua Musang, Kelantan.

“Let him think for himself,” she said softly.

Throughout her conversation with The Malaysian Insight, young children were seen frequenting her shop to buy chips and sweets.

Patsama said her eldest son, Che Abdul Karim Che Abdul Hamid, did not inform her or his family members that he would be taking a child as his third wife.

In fact, she only came to know about the news from her other sons, who also only found out about their brother’s controversial marriage through social media.

“I didn’t know about the nikah. His brothers said people are criticising the marriage on the internet,” she said.

Patsama said she knows the child who has now become her daughter-in-law.

“I know (the child bride). I have seen her, (but) not since the marriage.

“Her mother used to work for my daughter-in-law (Che Abdul Karim’s first wife),” she said.

Che Karim’s marriage to the young Thai last month has sparked national outrage, shocked locals in this quiet kampung, and left his first and second wives and children in the lurch.

Both wives have threatened divorce if their husband insists on taking the child as his third wife.

Che Karim, a rubber dealer, who is also a local religious leader, has six children aged between five and 18. He has been married to the first wife for two decades.

Patsama said since news of the child bride going viral, neighbours in this quiet Kelantan town have been talking about the marriage and reporters have been harassing her for interviews, causing her anxiety.

“Of course, I’m worried. TV3 came to my house for an interview with my son,” she said, before excusing herself back to tending her store. – July 6, 2018.