KUALA LUMPUR: Allowing children to marry could lead to their stunted cognitive growth, said a psychologist.
Associate Professor Dr Mohd Awang Idris of Universiti Malaya said although a person fulfilled the physical condition to marry once he or she has reached puberty, this did not mean that they are ready mentally.
"A person's cognitive growth moves in tandem with his or her surroundings, so if we were to allow a child to get married at such a young age, we're putting them at risked of stunted growth.
"It is common for children to think about marriage from a purely romantic notion instead of the reality that comes with it including paying bills and becoming parents when they should have been in university or schools," he said when contacted, today.
Dr Mohd Awang said the growth process for children and teenagers are in stages.
"There are times when they need to be with their parents to feel safe, and the age when they need to explore their potential and learn what adulthood means.
"They are not mentally equipped to make mature and well-informed decision. As such, they are in a fragile position to be exploited or abused," he said.
Non-governmental organisation Kemban Kolektif's independent consultant Melissa Mohd Akhir said the ministry's stand represented a regressive message, making it harder to educate the public on why children should not be allowed to marry.
"We are already have written laws that set the minimum age of marriage, which is equivalent to prohibiting or banning. From one side of the mouth, we're saying that we wanted to ban child marriage."
"Now, more than ever, it is crucial for the government to amend the Child Act and the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act for non-Muslims, so that we can send a clear message that Malaysia is progressively heading towards implementing 18 years old as the minimum age."
Melissa said the ministry make a clear stand on this matter.
"The message must be clear that child marriage is not tolerated in Malaysia. That message has to be communicated effectively and not just within the laws."
Last week, it was reported that the Women, Family and Community Development Minister in a reply to Parliament said it had no plans to ban child marriage while being committed to preventing such unions.