Sarawak: Community and ethnic leaders in Sarawak have been urged to play an active role in preventing child marriage and ensure children continue to have access to education through completion of schooling. Sarawak Minister for Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah emphasized the significant influence of community leaders such as tuai rumah, penghulu, pemanca, and temenggung in identifying and addressing issues affecting children, including early marriage.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fatimah highlighted that early marriage often leads to children leaving school and not completing their education up to Form Five. She stressed the importance of education in providing better employment opportunities and helping individuals escape the cycle of poverty. These remarks were made after she inaugurated the Convention on Awareness of Children's Rights: Issues of Child Marriage in Central Sarawak Zone.

Fatimah further explained that marriages in Sarawak are categorized into civil marriage, marriages under the Islamic Religious Department, and customary marriage. In the latter, community leaders hold a crucial role, especially in cases involving underage individuals. She also urged parents to be vigilant against factors contributing to teenage pregnancy and early marriage, such as persuasion and exploitation.

Awareness among families and communities is deemed essential to protect children from being influenced or becoming victims of irresponsible parties. Fatimah remarked that marriage and pregnancy at a young age not only disrupt education but also pose health risks due to incomplete physical development. The state government is enhancing prevention measures through the One Stop Teenage Pregnancy (OSTP) Committee, which provides support and assistance to teenagers facing unplanned pregnancies.