ALOR STAR: The cross-border marriage amnesty programme proposed by the Kedah government should be seen as a move to protect the welfare of children born to couples who married outside the country and did not register their union. The Malaysia Sharie Lawyers Association said the programme could protect the welfare of children born from these marriages, who had been left “stateless” as a result. NSTP had yesterday reported that the Kedah government was embarking on a cross-border marriage amnesty programme to help 10,000 women who are not officially recognised as wives, having tied the knot across the Malaysian-Thai border. “We believe it could reduce the negative public perception of such couples, even though their marriage is considered legal based on Islamic law. “We have met the authorities, including the state Islamic Affairs Department, state Syariah Judiciary Department, state legal advisor and the state National Registration Department to discuss the matter.

Source: New Strait Times March 12, 2018 01:07 UTC