9yo girls marriage ready; marrying rape victim is okay, says Malaysian MP

New Delhi : In shocking remarks, a Malaysian MP has claimed that girls above the age of 9 are 'physically and spiritually' ready for marriage, also claiming that there is nothing wrong in females marrying their rapists.

“They reach puberty at the age of nine or 12. And at that time, their body is already akin to them being 18 years old. So physically and spiritually, it is not a barrier for the girl to marry,” Shabudin Yahaya, a member of the Barisan Nasional Coalition, told Parliament on Tuesday.

Adding more to his statements he claimed that there is nothing wrong if a female ties knot with her rapist as it will prevent her from a bleak future.

“Perhaps through marriage they can lead a healthier, better life. And the person who was raped does not necessarily have a bleak future. She will have a husband, at least, and this could serve as a remedy to growing social problems,” he said, as quoted by Malaysian newspaper the Star. 

Shabudin's comments have attracted massive criticism online with some accusing him of promoting rape culture and others demanding an apology.

Malaysia's civil law sets the minimum age of marriage at 18, but those above 16 can be married with the permission of their state's chief minister.