INTERVIEW | PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man wants Malaysians to put their attention on the exploitation of children in general instead of focusing on child marriage alone.

“We have to look at the bigger picture. Child marriages, involving those 16 and above, is normal in Islam.

“We shouldn’t just be looking at child marriages alone. (Look at the) exploitation (of children). Not just marriages. Some people use children to solicit donations,” he told Malaysiakini.

Tuan Ibrahim said that in Kelantan, girls as young as 16 can marry because the law allowed for it, under certain conditions.

“There are times when we have to accept (child marriages). We can’t stop it. They are not trying to commit zina, but they want to marry.

“Some people say early marriage leads to divorce, but then again, how many old couples end up in divorce?” he asked.

Tuan Ibrahim, who is the Kubang Kerian MP, said this when asked to comment on the ongoing controversy in Gua Musang where a 41-year-old man took an 11-year-old girl as his third wife.

The man has since been fined RM1,800 by the for doing so without the consent of the Kelantan Syariah Court.

Under the Section 8 of the Islamic Family Law Enactment 2002, a girl below the age of 16 can only be wed if a syariah judge has given written permission.

Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah had made it clear that the state government does not agree Putrajaya’s plan to ban the marriage of girls below 18.

However, Islamic Affairs Minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa (photo) said Putrajaya would press on with plans to standardise marriage laws concerning minors and eventually move towards a total ban.

'Too early to pass judgement'

On Mujahid’s performance in cabinet so far, Tuan Ibrahim said it was too early to pass judgement, but believed that he should not be meddling in the affairs of other religions.

“His responsibility is towards Islam as an institution, not other religions. Criticisms and comments about Islam nowadays are too much.

“The (de facto) Islamic affairs minister should take care of Islam alone,” he said, though not elaborating on what he meant by meddling in the affairs of other religions.

Tuan Ibrahim urged Mujahid, his former party colleague, to give more bite to the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), and said PAS was prepared to assist the Pakatan Harapan administration to improve Jakim and other matters.

“If they need opinions, we are ready (to help). PAS will support Harapan in areas which do not violate Islamic law or are detrimental to Islam.

“We will help in matters which bring good and taqwa (obedience to God),” he said.

Tuan Ibrahim stressed that the opposition now cannot behave as it did before, and must be prepared to work with the government when necessary.

“We need time to evaluate the performance of the new government. If they fail, the people will react at the next election.”

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