Child marriage cases in Malaysia rose by around 300 between 2023 and 2024, according to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.
Official data from the Department of Statistics revealed 923 cases of child marriage in 2023, increasing to 1,261 cases last year. Figures for 2025 are yet to be released.
Speaking at the launch of the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) Statistics and Findings 2026 to mark National Women’s Day, Kok emphasised that the issue remains a serious concern despite cultural arguments from some that marriage at age 13 or younger is acceptable.
“Changing the law is not straightforward as it involves state governments. Society’s mindset also needs to shift,” she said. Kok highlighted the ongoing legal and administrative hurdles, noting that marriage laws involve both civil and syariah jurisdictions under state authority.
Advocacy groups have been campaigning for reforms for years, with Kok pointing out that previous efforts to strengthen domestic violence laws took more than a decade before being passed in Parliament.
The event was attended by WAO executive director Nazreen Nizam and Yayasan Sime Darby governing council member Puan Sri Normah Hashim. Yayasan Sime Darby has supported WAO programmes for nearly 19 years.
During the launch, WAO presented data on domestic violence, women’s protection, and child marriage trends in Malaysia, followed by a question-and-answer session.
