The government is scheduled to hold roundtable discussions next month to discuss in greater detail the standard operating procedure for underage marriages.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa said the discussions will be held in stages with legal practitioners, syariah judges, academics and ulamas.

“The SOP before this was outside the law, which means it may or may not be observed. This (the outcome of the discussions) will be within the law,” he told reporters after attending the third anniversary celebrations of Amanah at Dewan Tun Razak in Temerloh, Pahang today.

Mujahid, who is Amanah vice-president, was commenting on the latest child marriage case involving a 15-year-old child in Tumpat, Kelantan recently.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail proposed the minimum age for marriages to be set at 18 years to protect the health, safety and rights of children in the country.

Meanwhile in Seremban, the proposal to increase the age limit to 18 years will be studied to include the views of ulama and community heads, said Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun.

- Bernama