Teenagers may face challenges, potential curbed
KUCHING: Although marriages are legal as early 18 years old, it is not encouraged by the Sarawak state government as this may pose challenges towards immaturity of physical or mental.
Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah stated on the outcome of the Sarawak Women and Family Council first meeting during the press conference at Hilton today.
The minister’s stand that underage marriages are not encouraged because it may curb the opportunity for young teenagers to develop their potential albeit the minimum age of legal marriage is 18 while the statutory of marriage below 18 is defined as rape.
“In Sarawak context, native customary marriage is one of three types of marriages, along with civil marriage and marriage according to Syariah law for the muslims.
“Based on our round table discussion, the underage marriage mostly involves due to customary marriage which some of ethnic groups did not constitute any particular condition on marriageable age for both girls and boys,” she said.
Fatimah also said such situation is one of the major challenges as underage marriage is allowed under native customs from different ethnic groups.
“Therefore, we need to educate the community because mainly the claim is rooted due to their cultural practice.
“Secondly, the deliberation to educate about sexual matter must be done in focus group with interactive communication. This is to help the community to understand the reasons why underage marriage could hamper their potential in personal growth,” Fatimah added.
She also explained that those teenagers under minimum age who wanted to get married must obtain marriage consent from the Chief Minister.
