Only Selangor, Kedah enforce 18 as minimum marriage age for Muslims

Only Selangor and Kedah have established 18 as the minimum marriage age for Muslims, according to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, highlighting the need for uniform legislation across the country.

The ministry is working to implement consistent minimum marriage age requirements nationwide, recognising that current disparities between states create legal complications for families and individuals.

The effort to standardise marriage age laws reflects broader concerns about protecting young people from early marriage. Several states currently allow marriage at younger ages with parental or religious authority consent, creating a patchwork of regulations across the country.

Officials indicated that coordination with state religious authorities and legislatures would be essential to achieving nationwide uniformity. The ministry has identified the standardisation of marriage age as a priority in its ongoing agenda for family development and protection.

The push comes as Malaysia continues to examine its family laws and their alignment with contemporary standards for youth protection and welfare.