Perak marriage incentive must not reward child marriage, say children commissioners
The Children Commissioners (CC) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia said any financial incentive to marry should exclude children below 18, after Perak proposed a RM500 first-marriage grant for 15-to-35-year-olds.
Source: Human Rights Commission of Malaysia · August 30, 2026 at 2:41 PM · AI-assisted report
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PERAK, KUALA LUMPUR, 30 AUGUST 2026 —
The Children Commissioners (CC) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia said any financial incentive to marry should exclude children below 18, after Perak proposed a RM500 first-marriage grant for 15-to-35-year-olds.
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The CC welcomed the state’s aim to ease financial pressure on young couples but said Section 2 of the Child Act 2001 defines anyone under 18 as a child, regardless of youth-policy classifications.
“Being categorised as a ‘youth’ should not diminish the need for special child protection,” the commissioners said in a statement on Sunday.
The CC warned that linking money directly to marriage could send a signal that child marriage is acceptable. Child marriage harms education, health and future prospects, they added, so programmes affecting children must prioritise their best interests.
They pointed to Malaysia’s extension of compulsory schooling to upper secondary—covering ages 16 to 17—as evidence that 15-to-17-year-olds should remain in education rather than face incentives to wed.
If the RM500 grant proceeds, eligibility should start at 18, the CC recommended. They also urged Perak to provide earlier support—financial aid, school assistance, TVET access and family services—to families at risk of child marriage.
“Help should arrive before marriage is even considered,” the commissioners said.
The CC called for legislative reform to set 18 as the minimum age of marriage in Perak for both Muslims and non-Muslims. Current rules under the Islamic Family Law Enactment (Perak) 2004 allow marriage at 16 for Muslim girls with judicial consent.
Any exception below 18 should be rare, decided by a Syariah judge using strict welfare, education and health criteria, the CC said.
They advised Perak to review the age threshold before the proposal reaches the 2027 state budget.
The commissioners said they stood ready to advise the state to ensure all youth policies respect child rights and keep children in learning and development.
Related: Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)