DPM: Seven states refusing to amend laws to stop child marriages
PUCHONG: The federal government is unable to impose a nationwide ban on child marriages as seven states refuse to cooperate, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Speaking during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today, Wan Azizah said to date, only Selangor has amended its laws to curb child marriages.
“Amending laws on minimum age for marriage can only happen if the states agree to it. So far, only Selangor had amended its enactments while Federal Territories is in the midst of doing it.
“For now, only Penang, Sabah, Johor, Melaka and Perak have agreed to amend their laws to stop child marriages,” she told Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh.
On related matter, Syed Ibrahim queried Wan Azizah on what steps the government is taking against those who groom children for sexual matters, under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act.
To this, Wan Azizah said it was tough for law enforcement agencies to act on such perpetrators as information on communication matters are protected under the Personal Data Protection Act.
“Another problem is that after grooming, they marry the child. Even the parents feel it will be better for them to get married off. So, it becomes difficult to determine if a sexual crime is involved,” said the Pandan MP.
By G Vinod
