The Aulong assemblyman said it was time for Perak to comply with the United Nations Children’s Fund, and help curb issues such as paedophilia which were a threat to girls below 18.

“Underage marriages should be banned. It is the responsibility of the state legislative assembly to pass a law to disallow such unions in Perak.

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“Underage girls belong in school and should not be wives as that will only rob them of a future,” he was quoted by Astro Awani as saying in the Perak state assembly today.

Nga said the attention given to banning child labour should also be extended to underage marriages.

Last week, women, family and community development minister Rina Harun said the government had no plans to ban underage marriages but it remained committed to preventing such unions.

She said there were other considerations in curbing child marriages, besides amending legal provisions.

Rina’s comments had been met with unhappiness, with the All Women’s Action Society, the Women’s Aid Organisation and Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh urging the government to reconsider its stance.