JOHOR BARU: The state government will, for now, stick to the current legal marriage age — 18 for men and 16 for women.
State Education and Religion Committee chairman Aminolhuda Hassan said the Johor government had yet to look into changing the legal age for marriages.
However, he said the state government was expected to soon hold discussions with the Johor Islamic Council over the matter.
“We will get the views of the relevant quarters... the state government realises that this is an important issue, one that deals with social ills and so the views of various quarters such as police and the Health Department are also needed,” he said when contacted.
Aminolhuda said the state government would, from time to time, release information regarding the dates of these discussions and the progress being made.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had proposed that the legal age for marriage for women be raised to 18 years to protect the health, safety and rights of children in the country.
A working paper on the matter, to be prepared by the Islamic Development Department and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, would be presented to the various menteri besar and chief ministers for consideration and support.