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The much-heated debate on the most recent controversial topic, child marriage, is still going on. Many are seeking to implement a ban on child marriage while others are arguing that it is permissible according to certain Islamic laws.

Now, PAS Vice President Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah is saying that putting a blanket ban on child marriage goes against religious teachings, reported The Star.

Because of this, the politician claims that suggestions made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa to impose a blanket ban on child marriages should not be accepted.

“It is not wrong to marry young, from the religious perspective,” he said in response to Mujahid’s suggestion during the Kelantan legislative assembly sitting on Thursday (July 25).

Statistics by the National Registration Department revealed that 52% of the 1,845 marriages involving under-aged children recorded last year were non-Muslims.

Mohd Amar then suggested that it would be better to enforce existing laws to protect young children from being forced into unwanted early marriages instead of imposing a blanket ban.

“Prior approval from the state authorities need to be sought in cases where marriages involve under-aged children.”

“We have laws. Enforce it. We don’t have to impose a blanket ban overriding religious jurisdiction,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Amar also deemed a new law to curb religious and racial hatred as redundant after Mujahid suggested the implementation of the Racial and Religious Hatred Act to maintain peace and harmony in Malaysia.

“The existing Sedition Act is good enough to tackle this. Why formulate more new laws?” he said, stating that Malaysia had comprehensive laws, but lacked enforcement.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Let us know in the comments below!

Also read: This Campaign Seeks to Ban Child Marriages & All M’sians Are Welcome to Support