Looking into study on legal age for marriage

Wong giving her speech during the state assembly sitting. — SAIFUL BAHRI/The Star

• At the Perak State Assembly

THE state government will do a study on the legal age for marriage.

State family and community development committee chairman Wong May Ing (PH-Pantai Remis) said they would look into the matter before making a decision.

“We are still evaluating this.

“In Selangor, the Sultan (Sharafudin Idris Shah) has decreed to raise the minimum age for marriage from 16 to 18, and we will also study this,” she replied to a supplementary question by Leong Cheok Keng (PH-Malim Nawar).

Wong was replying to Leong’s question on the state’s view of the controversial marriage between a 11-year-old girl and a 41-year-old man in Kelantan.

“Personally, I don’t agree with it,” she said.

To a question by Khairudin Abu Hanipah (BN-Belanja) on a child abuse case in Perak, Wong said there were 254 physical abuse cases and 549 sexual abuse cases (377 rape, 152 molestation, 20 sodomy) from 2016 to July 31, 2018.

“Through the state Welfare Department, we will continue to protect children from these crimes.

“Steps are being taken includ-ing enforcement, awareness programmes, Talian Kasih and advocacy programmes for the community.

“We have also urged registered day care centres to install CCTV cameras to prevent untoward incidents.

“Those providing day care services would need to undergo training,” she added.

Wong said the department was also helping abused victims by placing them in homes or under the care of a willing guardian to ensure they were protected.

“Scheduled visits to the children will be held to ensure they are well cared for.

“The department will also work closely with the police,” she added.

Replying to an additional question by Khairudin on factors that caused abuse cases, Wong said these were because of a lack of awareness.

“We will look into this.

“For day care centres that have four or fewer children, they are not registered with the department.

“This is a weakness that we will need to address,” she added.