Malaysian state’s cash handouts for teen weddings triggers backlash

Authorities in Malaysia's Perak state have proposed a cash incentive of 500 ringgit, equivalent to about US$124, for individuals marrying for the first time. The initiative has generated significant public backlash after officials confirmed that the financial assistance could potentially apply to minors as young as 15 years old.

Critics have strongly opposed the inclusion of children in the state-funded benefit scheme, arguing that government incentives for teenage marriages risk legitimising child marriage. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions surrounding youth welfare policies and the legal age of marriage in the region.