KUALA LUMPUR: Member of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Rights and Gender Equality Kasthuriraani Patto said the decision made by Sabah government to set the minimum age of marriage at 18, is timely and courageous in order to reduce the number of child marriage cases.
Kasthuriraani, who also Batu Kawan Member of Parliament, said it was also hoped that Sabah would read and execute provisions in Civil Laws, Syariah Laws and Native Customary Laws in harmony with each other to reduce marriages of children below the age of 18.
“The news that the Sabah state government made a decision on the minimum age limit for marriage in the state comes as a timely Chinese New Year gift for all children, not only in Sabah but throughout the nation as a spillover effect is hoped for to safeguard the rights of children to live their lives as children with equal opportunities to dream, study, play and to be torchbearers for our new Malaysia.
“This momentous and significant decision will not be possible without concerted effort driven by Sabah Law and Native Affairs Assistant Minister Jannie Lasimbang and her team of like-minded lawmakers, judges, civil society, customary chiefs, native chiefs and village heads to be guardians of children, galvanizing their authority, knowledge, experience and power to work together to reduce the number of child brides and grooms in the state,” she said in a statement today.
Kasthuriraani, who is also International Secretary for Wanita DAP, also urged religious leaders of all states to address the rights, position and role of children in the society as the future of Malaysia, even more as the country remains a steadfast signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
On Monday, Bernama reported that Sabah Cabinet has agreed to set the minimum age for marriage at 18 in the state, following the tabling of the proposal on the minimum age limit for marriage by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry at the last Parliament sitting. – Bernama
