Earlier this month, Shabudin Yahaya, a member of Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, sparked outrage when he appeared to suggest in parliament there was nothing wrong with a rape victim marrying her rapist because her future would not be so bleak. "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 said during a debate on the bill.
His comments sparked an outrage on social media. Shabudin later complained his comments were taken out of context, adding he was not saying that marriage was the "back door exit to legalize rape," and threatened to take legal action against the media, which he said had manipulated his remarks. Shabudin also predictably said his decision to reject a motion banning child marriages was made because it was contrary to the provisions in Shariah law.
Irrespective of what Shabudin's comments fit into a broader trend in Malaysia where politicians increasingly hide behind the Quran to justify their erosion of democracy and basic decency.
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