PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is troubled that "possible paedophilia activity" can be legalised through child marriage.
Suhakam chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail also expressed his concern that child marriage will encourage sexual violence against children.
"Suhakam is concerned that at present, religious justifications supported by law may be used to provide cover for paedophiles and child sexual predators who marry the children/victims," said Razali in a statement on Sunday (July 1).
According to international standards, child marriage is defined as any marriage carried out below the age of 18.
In Malaysia, it is still legal for children below the age of 18 to be married under Islamic and civil laws.
Non-Muslim girls can marry as early as 16, provided they get the permission of the Chief Minister or Mentri Besar.
For Muslims, the minimum age of marriage is 16 for girls and 18 for boys. But exceptions can be made for girls or boys to marry at a younger age as long as they obtain the Islamic courts' consent.
Customary law sets the minimum age to get married for girls at 16 and 18 for boys. A parent or legal guardian may give their written consent for underage marriages.
"Suhakam does not think enough has been done to end child marriages in Malaysia and believes zero tolerance of child marriage must be enforced at every root of society," said Razali.
Razali, on behalf of Suhakam, called on Syariah court judges and the authorities to stop child marriages.
"(They) must be held accountable for perpetuating this egregious practice," he said.
Razali said that there is no justification to child marriage and the rights of the child must be protected.
"Suhakam also calls on the new government to take a principled position on this issue and to keep to its election promise to all Malaysians to set the legal minimum age of marriage to 18 for all persons," he said.
Ending child marriage by 2030 is among the targets set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that Malaysia has committed itself to.
"In the meantime, Suhakam recommends that the government and state religious bodies including the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) take active steps to inform the public about the detriments associated with underage marriages," said Razali.
Razali also urged the Women, Children and Community Development Ministry to respond "more diligently" to the issue.
Razali's comments come after news of a 41-year-old man marrying an 11-year-old girl.
The father of six took the girl as his third wife after he went to Golok, a border town in Narathiwat, southern Thailand, two weeks ago to have the marriage solemnised.
The man, who already has two wives, is said to be a self-proclaimed imam at his village in Gua Musang, Kelantan.
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