5 Aug 2010

Under-16 marriage ruling condemned

8:07 am on 5 August 2010

There has been condemnation in Malaysia of a decision by the state of Malacca to allow marriage for Muslim girls under the age of 16.

Islamic authorities there say this is the best way to avoid problems associated with teenage pregnancies.

But women's rights groups describe the move as legalised paedophilia.

A federal minister is also against the move, saying it is socially and morally unacceptable.