KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will maintain 18 as the minimum marriage age in the state.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the Sabah Mufti who had previously suggested to reduce the minimum marriage age for Muslim girls from 16 to 14, was only voicing a personal view.

"That was the mufti's personal view that in special circumstances, the girl can get married at a younger age – it is not a law or fatwa," he said after a meeting at his office here on Thursday (Oct 4).

Meanwhile, asked about the state's stand on the matter, Shafie said the cabinet has decided to retain the minimum marriage age at 18 in Sabah.

The issue of minimum marriage age has caused an uproar especially among children's rights groups who say that children should be encouraged to complete their studies and pursue their dreams for a better future instead of using marriage as an option for a better life.