KUALA LUMPUR: Investigation on the child marriage in Gua Musang is still ongoing, said Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
She said the case involving a rubber trader’s marriage to a 11-year-old girl was being investigated by several government agencies.
Azizah, who is also the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said the ministry acted as the coordinator for the investigation efforts.
“It is unwise to judge certain issues without gathering all evidence and have the investigation concluded.
“As the government, we must act in accordance to the federal laws. This is what sovereignty of law means,” she said in a statement today.
Dr Wan Azizah said the government’s stand on the matter was clear and consistent.
“The ministry is steadfast in its stand against child marriage and we are taking measures to increase the legal marriage age to 18.
“Our officials are carrying out efforts (to achieve this) and our stand on this issue remains the same.
“(Nevertheless), actions that will be taken in regards to this case must be based on evidence.
“A statement on the case will only be issued after the investigation is concluded,” she said referring to her statement on July 2.
She said the government understood the people’s sentiment over the matter but they should not let emotions cloud their judgment on actions that should be taken.
“It is unfair to judge someone through social media based on our emotion on this issue,” she said.
The news of the marriage of a 11-year-old Thai girl with a 41-year-old Malaysian had sparked outrage with many quarters called for an intervention by the government.
The rubber trader was fined RM1,800 by Gua Musang Lower Syariah Court on July 9 for marrying without approval and getting into a polygamous marriage without consent.
The man later submitted a marriage registration form to Gua Musang Islamic Religious Office