MalayMail-Nov 20
Papers to address the issue of child marriages among indigenous communities in Sabah will be presented to Cabinet soon for deliberation, said deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. Dr Gunsalam, who is also local government and housing minister, said the amendments to the Rules of the Native Court Enactment (Native Customary Law) 1995 were being prepared by a committee under the Sabah Native Affairs Council (MHEANS). “This process involves close collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and a Cabinet paper has been prepared for presentation to the Cabinet in the near future,” he said.
He said the Sabah Native Affairs Department, through the Native Court training institute, will develop and implement specialized training related to the impacts and effects of child marriage among Indigenous communities with the involvement of customary leaders after these amendments are implemented.
Additionally, to enhance the performance of Native Court personnel, RM760,000 from the total allocation received by the Sabah Native Affairs Department (JHEANS) amounting to RM80.19 million is used for training and human resource development involving Native Court personnel. Child marriages in Sabah’s rural communities are still practiced as they grapple with poverty and native customs. Under civil law, the minimum age of marriage for boys and girls is 18 years old. Girls who have reached the age of 16 may get married upon obtaining a license granted in the exercise of discretionary power by the Chief Minister. However, in native customary law, there is no stated minimum age as a girl is deemed “matured” with her first period. This also paves the way for underaged rape victims to be allowed to marry their rapists.
