Malaysia’s Perak state is considering a proposal to provide a one-off cash payment to people who marry for the first time, but the plan triggers backlash after officials indicate it could extend to teenagers as young as 15.
The proposal, discussed for inclusion in Perak’s 2027 budget, would offer 500 ringgit (about US$124). Critics say that if the incentive applies to minors, it risks legitimising child marriage and could intensify a long-running debate in Malaysia over under-18 weddings. They point to the legal and social sensitivity of the issue, including existing rules that still allow some under-18s to marry.
The outlets report that the debate centers on the age eligibility attached to the incentive—particularly the possibility that first-time couples could qualify while still legally a minor. Supporters’ views and any stated policy rationale are not detailed in the excerpts, while both reports emphasize the concerns about extending state-funded benefits to children and the potential impact on protections and public opinion.
