No plan to raise marriageable female age to 18 in T’ganu - MB

KUALA TERENGGANU – Unlike its counterpart in Kedah, the Pas government in Terengganu will not be increasing the minimum marriageable age for women in the oil-rich east coast state.

In an exclusive interview with Sinar Daily, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar explained that the matter was "quite complex” here in Terengganu.

"It is not just up to the state government (to) simply enact (and amend) the law as it involves discussions with various stakeholders.

"For now, it (marriageable age for women) will stay as it is.

"However, this is not cast in stone, we are open to discuss about it if anything comes up,” Samsuri said, adding that there was always room to talk and discuss.

The current minimum marriageable age for females in Terengganu is 16, whereas it for men, it is 18.

Last month, Kedah passed the Islamic Family Law (Kedah Darul Aman) (Amendment) Enactment Bill 2022, which raised the legal age of marriage for women from 16 to 18.

Kedah State Assembly Speaker Datuk Juhari Bulat said that those below the age who wanted to tie the knot, they could still get married but would need the court’s permission.