THE number of underage marriages among Muslims dropped after the introduction of a strict standard operating procedure (SOP) under the Syariah Courts, says the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs).

       Idris Ahmad said according to the Syariah Judiciary Department (JKSM), approval of these marriages via the e-syariah system three years before the enforcement of the SOP – between Sept 1, 2015, and Aug 31, 2018 – totalled 2,885 nationwide.

       However, they dropped to 2,098 cases three years after enforcement from Sept 1, 2018, to Oct 31, 2021.

       “In comparing the numbers recorded three years before and three years after the SOP, there was a reduction of 787 cases,” he said in reply to a question from Kasthuri Patto (PH-Batu Kawan) during Question Time at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

       Kasthuri had asked about government efforts to increase the legal marrying age to 18 and efforts to prevent child marriages.

       Idris said the government had taken steps to review and study proposals to increase the minimum age for marriage for Muslim women from 16 to 18 years old.

       This included discussing the proposal at forums and conferences involving states with authority to decide marriage laws for Muslims.

       “Based on the response, most agreed in principle to retain the current legal age as provided under the Islamic family law in each state,” he said.

       After considering this feedback, the government via the Islamic Development Department of Malay-sia (Jakim) on Sept 22 this year took the position that there is no need to amend the minimum legal marrying age, he added.

       At the same time, JKSM had taken various steps to ensure that those who applied for underage marriage will have to undergo a strict review process to ensure the interest of all parties is protected.