There may have been an element of sexual grooming: Guamnita

PETALING JAYA: There may have been an element of sexual grooming in the case of the 11-year-old girl who married a 41-year-old man, said Biro Guaman Wanita (Guamnita) director, Azlinda Baroni.
She said based on reports the adult man had attempted to have a love affair with a nine-year-old before actually marrying her at the age of 11.
The 41-year-old groom Che Abdul Karim Che Hamid said he married the girl because they have been in love since three years ago.
The child bride said his children are her friends and her family were staying behind his house for many years.
Her father a 49-year-old rubber tapper said there are times when he would sell the rubber he collected to the person who is now his son-in-law.
He added that his daughter is also friends with his son-in-law's child with his first wife and whenever the son-in-law's family with his first wife went on holiday, they would take his daughter along.
Che Abdul Karim, who has two other wives aged 41 and 34, had said his young wife would not be staying with him until she turns 16.
Azlinda said Guamnita applauded the decision made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who held a special multi-agency meeting to discuss the controversial marriage.
She said such meeting was good because of the various views and opinions (from the perspective of syariah and civil laws) on the case.
She also urged Wan Azizah, who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister, to conduct a thorough investigation by putting the best interest of the child first.