Muda, Wanita PKR hit out at Perak plan for RM500 marriage incentive

Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, the president of Muda and a Wanita PKR member, has criticized a proposed Perak incentive that would provide RM500 to young couples getting married for the first time. She argues that the incentive could lead to child marriages, with those aged 15 to 17 being encouraged to marry rather than focus on their education.

Amira urges the Perak government to reconsider the proposal, emphasizing that 15 to 17-year-olds should be in school, not thinking about marriage. She calls on executive council members to develop comprehensive policies without loopholes.

Khairudin Abu Hanipah, a state executive councillor, defended the incentive, stating it aims to alleviate the financial burdens of newly-wedded young couples. The proposal targets those aged 15 to 35 under the Youth Development and Sports Act 2007 definition of a "youth." Khairudin said the plan would be discussed and refined before consideration for the 2027 state budget.

Sangetha Jayakumar, the secretary of Wanita PKR, echoed Amira's concerns, urging the executive council to set a minimum eligible age of 18 for applicants. She argues that without an age limit, families facing financial strain might encourage early marriages for their daughters. Sangetha points out that financial hardship is a documented driver of underage marriage in Malaysia and highlights the state's history of underage marriages, which leads to girls dropping out of school.

Perak has not set a minimum age for women's marriage, unlike Selangor and Kedah, which have established 18 as the minimum age for women.