17 July 2018

Press statement by Wanita MCA Chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie

Heng supports G25 :  Amend federal laws - the best solution to ban child marriages

We are shocked to hear the confession from the 41-year-old groom and self-proclaimed imam, Che Abdul Karim Che Hamid, that he had wanted to marry the child bride since she was a mere 7-year-old. This is easily four years under his belt with the intention to sexually groom the little girl.

Our Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Wan Azizah, who is also the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, had promised previously that her officers were working closely with the local authorities to probe for signs of sexual grooming.

So, where are our Women Ministry's Minister and officers right now after the man’s Freudian slip of such self-incriminating evidence?

We are also disappointed that on this child marriage issue, the Minister's admission of defeat when she said that there is nothing she can do to nullify the marriage. Right now, the man is freely admitting to the press that he has had his eyes on the girl since she was seven. Yet,  the KPWKM ministry has stayed mum and taken no further action against him. I really feel disappointed with this turn of events.

The G25 group of eminent Malays, too, expressed disappointment that instead of leading the charge on championing for child’s right, Wan Azizah had simply relegated the duty over to the National Fatwa Council. It is because national fatwa is ineffective on states which prefer to continue recognising a man’s right to marry according to his fantasies. I agree wholeheartedly with the G25 when they called child marriage a “medieval practice” and must be made a federal crime irrespective of race and religion.

To criminalise child marriage on a federal level, amendments must be made and special provisions added in the Penal Code, Child Act 2001, Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, and Law Reform (Marriage & Divorce) Act. As an added measure, there must be specific mention that these federal laws will supercede state Enactments on child marriages.

Dato’ Seri Wan Azizah, we want you to understand that this issue has transpired into something bigger than the inappropriate relationship between a 41-year-old and an 11-year-old. If we, as a country, could not safeguard a child who was likely groomed since she was seven, how can we ever hold our heads high among international peers?

The first session of the 14th Parliament sitting convened yesterday on 16 July 2018. With your coalition holding the power of the majority, the ball is in your court right now to lead reforms on safeguarding minor children’s right. The vulnerable children in our country need you to use your power well to protect them — and not more excuses on why you could not do more for them.

Datuk Heng Seai Kie
Wanita MCA Chairman

-MCA Online-