"God knows what he can do to the 13-year-old. She should be protected.
If his intentions are pure, why didn't he marry her in the first place?
Why did he marry her after he raped her?"
Jainab raised the issue during a press conference held after opening the MBR Carnival at the City Mosque in Likas, here.
"This is statutory rape. He should not be let off the hook just because he married her.
We don't want rapists to get away with their actions just because they got married to the victims. This also reflects a bad image on Islam and Muslims," she added.
She continued to express how grieved she is about the issue and as a woman, a mother and Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs, Jainab said she was talking based on facts and not emotions.
"I don't intend to fight with anyone. If there is a loophole, we want to make sure it is not used by criminals to get away with an offence. I just want to protect the child.
If we don't act properly, a lot of children could face the same situation.
How many other children do we want to see suffering?"
Apart from that, she also requested the rapist's employer to terminate his employment contract with immediate effect.
"What would happen if he comes across other young girls at the restaurant where he is working?"
To illustrate more of her disgust, she continued to explain that the 13-year- old girl and the 40-year-old man should not have been allowed to wed. How can the court allow that?
On top of that, she disagreed with the man's lawyer who ordered that no statements about the man should be sent around as it causes him stress.
"Jheains and Jakim should make things right. The Syariah Court should also look into this matter.
"The man is the culprit. He is 40 years old. He knows what he's doing.
We should protect the child. Do the right thing," said Jainab.
Meanwhile, Jainab questioned further the man's intentions.
"He did not show up in court on May 15, then told the court on May 20 that he had already married the girl without polygamy consent. Suka sama suka? There is no such thing as suka sama suka. He is 40 years old."
In relation to this, she said that their first interaction which started on Facebook was based on a lie. "He claimed to be 24 years old and single."
Another act which rose suspicion was the father's application (affidavit), she said.
"His reason for allowing his daughter to get married was due to court case problems which did not make sense.
The second one was due to pity to the man for having a family (a wife and four children). "Pity to the guy?
Why are they not pitying their own child?
If her parents can't take care of her, we will take care of her. He must have threatened the parents or influenced them in some way. They are living in poverty."
Also highlighted by Jainab were her intentions to give proper counselling to the child and her parents.
"If money is the issue, we will help the parents through the Welfare Department and other ways."
he was never on the hook
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