Only Selangor And Kedah Have Set Muslim Marriage Age At 18, Dewan Rakyat Told

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 – Selangor and Kedah remain the only states to have amended their laws to set the minimum legal marriage age for Muslims at 18, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri informed the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

Responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang), Nancy clarified that while the federal government is striving for nationwide uniformity, amendments in other states remain subject to their respective state legislative processes and religious authorities, as Islamic family law falls strictly under state jurisdiction.

“We are trying to achieve uniformity nationwide, but since marriage matters fall under state jurisdiction, we will make every effort to ensure that all states work together with the federal government and agree on how to address underage marriage,” Nancy stated during Question Time.

National Underage Marriage Statistics

Nancy disclosed that Malaysia recorded a total of 1,361 underage marriages in 2024 across civil, Syariah, and customary law registrations.

Underage marriage figures over recent years include:

• 2019: 1,467 cases
• 2023: 923 cases
• 2024: 1,361 cases

Nancy explained that the recorded increase in 2024 was primarily attributable to more systematic and comprehensive data collection methods implemented in Sarawak, rather than representing a sudden sharp rise in actual occurrences.

Future Strategic Studies

To address implementation gaps, Nancy revealed that two major government studies are underway and expected to conclude by early 2027:

1. Strategic Plan Evaluation: Assessing the overall implementation effectiveness of the National Strategic Plan to Address the Causes of Underage Marriage (2020–2025).
2. Prevention & Risk Factor Study: Examining underlying socioeconomic risk factors to establish evidence-based preventive measures.

Key Legislative Facts, Annual Case Metrics, and Strategic Initiatives

Key parliamentary responses, case statistics, and policy frameworks include:

• States Compliant with 18-Year Age Limit: Selangor and Kedah.
• Jurisdictional Framework: Islamic family law falls under individual State List powers (requiring state-level legislative consensus).
• 2024 Underage Marriage Tally: 1,361 cases (civil, Syariah, and customary).
• Primary Cause for 2024 Statistical Rise: Improved and systematic data collection in Sarawak.
• Target Completion Date for National Studies: Early 2027.

–NMT