Monday, March 15, 2010

Only Syariah Court can decide marital status of underage girl


The marital status of an underage girl to a 41-year-old man who was alleged to have abducted her can only be determined by the Syariah Court, Kelantan Syarie chief judge Datuk Daud Mohamad said.

He said the girl, her father and the man who allegedly married her have to be brought to court to be charged before the status of their marriage could be determined.

“The assumption made by the public on the case cannot be taken as grounds to determine their marriage status,” he told Bernama here today.

Daud, who was involved in the formulation of the Kelantan Muslim Family Enactment 1983, said this when asked on the status of the 11-year-old girl who was said to be married off to the man by a tabligh sect in Kuala Krai, recently.

The girl, who was allegedly abducted by her “husband” was found at a mosque near Batu Caves in Selangor, two days ago.

Daud said those involved in the child’s marriage could be charged as it is an offence under the Kelantan Muslim Family Enactment for a female below the age of 16 to marry without a written permission from the court.

Those found guilty of the offence could be fined up to RM1,000 or six months jail or both, he added. — Bernama

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