{
  "id": 4223560,
  "title": "Muda, Wanita PKR hit out at Perak plan for RM500 marriage incentive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/muda-wanita-pkr-hit-out-at-perak-plan-for-rm500-marriage-incentive",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T14:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/29/muda-wanita-pkr-hit-out-at-perak-plan-for-rm500-marriage-incentive"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, a Wanita PKR member from Muda, and Sangetha Jayakumar, a PKR representative, have criticized a Perak proposal to provide a RM500 incentive to first-time young couples. They argue that the plan would encourage child marriages. Amira, the Muda president, stated that individuals aged 15 to 17 should focus on education rather than marriage. She urged the Perak government to reconsider the proposal, pointing out that the government cannot \"hide behind the excuse that those between 15 and 17 were technically defined as youths.\" The proposal, discussed at a youth assembly, aims to alleviate financial burdens for young couples. However, Sangetha, the Wanita PKR secretary, urged the executive council to set a minimum age of 18 for eligibility and require proof of secondary education completion. She highlighted that without a defined age limit, families facing economic hardship might be tempted to marry off their daughters earlier. Selangor and Kedah have set an 18-year age limit for women's marriage, but Perak has not, and the state has a history of underage marriages, leading to girls dropping out of school.",
  "summary": "The proposal, raised by a youth assembly in Perak, would provide a RM500 incentive for those between the ages of 15 and 35 marrying for the first time.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malaysiakini",
        "title": "Offer 'youth marriage' incentive only to those above 18, groups urge Perak govt",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/offer-youth-marriage-incentive-only-to-those-above-18-groups-urge",
        "published": "2026-08-29T11:59:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Muda, Wanita PKR hit out at Perak plan for RM500 marriage incentive",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/muda-wanita-pkr-hit-out-at-perak-plan-for-rm500-marriage-incentive-4225298",
        "published": "2026-08-29T14:50:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}