A proposal in Malaysia’s Perak state to pay young people 500 ringgit (US$124) for marrying for the first time has triggered a backlash after officials confirmed the scheme could apply to children as young as 15.
Critics say extending the state-funded benefit to minors risks legitimising child marriage, reigniting a fraught debate in Malaysia over laws that still allow some under-18s to wed.
The one-off payment, under consideration for Perak’s 2027 budget, would be open to first-time couples aged 15 to 35 who were born in the northwestern state or have lived there for at least a decade.
Khairudin Abu Hanipah, chairman of Perak state’s education and youth committee, said the proposal was unanimously approved at the fifth sitting of the Perak Youth Assembly – an advisory forum for young people – and was intended to ease the financial burden on young couples.
We view this as a positive initiative
“We view this as a positive initiative that demonstrates the state government’s care and concern by providing some assistance to newly married couples,” he told reporters after a state youth awards ceremony on Friday.