A 40-year old married Muslim man, who raped a 13-year old girl a few months back, was allowed to tie the knot with her under Sharia law in Malaysia, says a report.
The incident took place in the East Malaysia, formed by two states Sarawak and Sabah, which has become amalgamated with Muslim Malaysia. And it is a clear indication of how domestic resettlement as well as cross-culture absurdities is taking a toll on the environment of the nation.
Riduan Masmud, a middle-aged restaurant manager who purportedly had sex with a teenage girl from a very underprivileged family, has been reported to steer clear of prosecution in the entire procedure.
According to the report, the man forced the girl to submit to the sexual intercourse inside a car which was parked outside the restaurant in Kota, the capital of the state Sabah. And right after obtaining the permission from the Sharia Court, he married the girl. Now, he is justifying the crime committed by him with this marriage.
During the interrogation, Riduan said that he is ready to help the girl so that she can complete her studies. Later, if she wishes, she can go for a cosmetic course along with his first wife who is a make-up artist by profession.
He also said that the incident was basically ‘suka sama suka’ or a case of mutual approval.
When the father of the victim was questioned about the marriage, he said that he had nothing else to do instead of accepting the whole situation. It is her aunt who lodged a complaint against the man with the local police station and brought the incident into limelight.
In the month of April, the Sharia court allowed Riduan a bail of around $2,600 (in the U.S. currency), and legal moves were also made to pull out the case subsequent the marriage.
Several welfare groups expressed their indignation that the accused was allowed to walk free. The corresponding state officials have also been putting their effort in annulling the nuptial as the man hid about his first marriage from the court while seeking permission to marry the raped girl.
When it comes to Islam, partly covered state laws always results into multiple complications, and the case of Riduan is another burning example of it.
However, the case has been brought to another court a few days ago. It has said that the rape charges against Riduan will be considered once again and the decision will be announced on June 6.
