Pakatan Harapan has pledged to increase the marriageable age for all Malaysians to 18 years if it captures Putrajaya in the coming general election.

The proposal is listed in the Wanita wing's agenda, dubbed "Wanita Harapan Negara," which was revealed at the Harapan Wanita convention today.

"We will include part of the agenda in our election manifesto," DAP Kulai MP Teo Nie Cheng told Malaysiakini.

At present, non-Muslims can be legally married at age 18, but require parental consent if they are under 21 years of age, with exceptions provided only to those who have obtained approval from the state menteri besar or chief minister.

For Muslims, the age of marriage is 18 and 16 for boys and girls respectively, with exceptions provided only to those who have obtained the consent of a Syariah Court judge.

Also listed in “Wanita Harapan Negara" is a proposal to resolve interfaith custody disputes, which will involve the establishment of a family laws committee to review existing laws, and seek amendments to divorce and custody provisions to solve these disputes more efficiently.

It also mooted another committee to study syariah laws and make amendments to divorce, conversion, and family issues, if deemed necessary.

The women’s wing also suggested that stateless children be granted automatic citizenship, in cases where at least one of the parents or adoptive parents is Malaysian.

The wing also proposed to review all laws for gender equality to ensure that all women are treated equally under the law, and to expand the scope of laws for the criminalisation of sexual harassment.

The agenda, which focused on young women, health, social harmony and progressive economic policies, also went beyond the call to increase participation of women in decision-making positions, to push for an auditing system to ensure that the 30 percent target is achieved.