Kelantan religious authorities to investigate child marriage in Gua Musang
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THE Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jaheaik) has opened an investigation into the alleged marriage between a 11-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man.
Its director Che Mohd Rahim Jusoh said the matter will be brought to court and the court would decide the legality of the marriage.
He said the department is investigating the matter after news of the supposed marriage went viral on social media.
“We are still investigating the story, we need to know how it happened and see the relevant laws pertaining to this matter, as well as whether the marriage went through the usual process.
“The matter is still being investigated and I have yet to receive the full report,” he said, declining to elaborate what kind of action could be taken against the involved parties.
Harian Metro, meanwhile, reported that the 11-year-old girl, who wanted to be known as Ayu, has spoken about the marriage.
Ayu said the decision to marry the 40-year-old man was on her own accord.
“Before Raya, my parents informed me of Abe’s intention to marry me. I accept it because I love him. I know I’m still young and out of school (but) I have known him for a long time and I’m also a friend of his child,” she said, referring to her husband.
“I love Abe because he is a nice man,” Ayu was quoted as saying by Harian Metro when met at her parent’s house in Gua Musang today.
Ayu said her parents brought her to Southern Thailand to get married and the solemnisation took place on June 18.
She also added that her husband had also agreed to live separately for five years. The man had taken the 11-year-old as his third wife.
“I’m aware of the people’s outrage but I don’t want a divorce as long as Abe still wants me and I myself love him,” she said.
The case first surfaced after one of the man’s wives posted a congratulatory message to her husband, which then made the rounds on social media.
Ayu’s father, Mat Rashid Rimadsa,49, who works as rubber tapper, meanwhile said he was initially surprised when the man had asked for her daughter’s hand in marriage because his daughter was still young.
“But my son-in-law explained that he felt pity for our family’s situation and promised to provide a more comfortable life to Ayu after marriage.
“In fact, he also informed that he would only live the married life, register the marriage and live with my daughter after five years, that’s why I accepted the proposal,” he said.
He also added that his family used to rent a house beside the his son-in-law’s first wife. He said he would leave it to his son-in-law to deal with any matter related to the marriage.
Kelantan Welfare Department and police are also looking for the girl to find out more about the marriage. – June 30, 2018.