KUALA LUMPUR: The number of underaged marriages among Muslims has dropped by 787 cases since a strict set of standard operating procedures was adopted by the Syariah Courts, says Idris Ahmad (pic).

       The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said that Syariah Judiciary Department (JKSM) statistics showed that there were 2,885 underaged marriage applications in the e-Syariah system between Sept 1 and Oct 31, 2018.

       Idris added that this was three years before the SOP was established and said that in the same period this year, there were 2,098 cases.

       He said this in reply to a question from Kasthuri Patto (PH-Batu Kawan) during Question Time.

       Kasthuri had asked the government to state its effort to increase the legal marrying age to 18 years old and efforts to avoid child marriages.

       Idris added that the Federal Government had taken steps to review and study the proposals to increase the minimum age for marriage for Muslim girls from 16 to 18 years old.

       "Among the studies was the tabling of the proposal at various forums and conferences that involved the states considering the power to decide on marriage laws of Muslims is the purview of the state," said Idris.

       "Based on the response, most states in principle agreed to retain the current legal marrying age as provided under the Islamic family law in each respective state,” he added.

       Idris then said that the government took the position through the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) on Sept 22 that there is no need to amend the minimum legal marrying age for Muslim girl.

       He also said that the JKSM had taken various steps to ensure that those who applied for an underaged marriage will have to undergo a strict reviewing process to ensure that the interests of all parties are protected.