KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has set the minimum marriage age at 18, but will give exemptions in certain cases.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the state Cabinet made the decision at its last meeting.
"This matter was also discussed at the meeting of chief ministers and menteris besar which was chaired by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The Sabah government agrees with the federal government that the minimum age for marrying should be 18.
"Of course there are some exit points. In certain cases, especially in the interiors, underage marriage can be referred to the Syariah Courts or civil courts for disposition.
“We have ordinances in Sabah that permit underage marriages,” he told reporters here yesterday. -- BERNAMA