Terengganu has reportedly recorded 53 cases of underage marriages over the past two years.

According to Harian Metro, Maliaman Kassim, Chairman of the Terengganu Welfare, Women’s Development, Family, and National Unity Committee, revealed that the Kemaman district accounted for the highest number of these cases, with 15 recorded since 2022.

Other districts reported the following numbers: 13 cases in Besut, 7 in Dungun, 5 each in Kuala Terengganu and Setiu, 3 in Hulu Terengganu, 3 in Marang, and 2 in Kuala Nerus.

"One of the reasons cited for the necessity of these marriages is to prevent issues like out-of-wedlock pregnancies and promiscuity," Maliaman explained during the 15th Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session on November 21.

He also noted that most of the underage girls who married are no longer attending school, adding that marriage is seen as a way to "protect them" from falling into social problems.

This statement came in response to a written question by Permaisuri ADUN Yusof Majid from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia regarding the prevalence of underage marriages in Terengganu.