Hannah Yeoh Is Being Investigated For Asking PAS MP About Plans To Fight Child Marriage
The former deputy women, family, and community development minister had asked about the fate of the 'National Strategy Plan in Handling the Causes of Child Marriage' under her successor Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff.
By Sadho Ram — 17 Jun 2020, 01:32 PM — Updated over 4 years ago
On Tuesday, 16 June, Hannah Yeoh tweeted that "now, even asking questions is not allowed" after being informed that Bukit Aman is investigating her for questioning child marriage in an earlier tweet
"I have been called by Bukit Aman to give a statement for their probe into this tweet," the Segambut Member of Parliament (MP) tweeted while attaching a screenshot of her earlier tweet from 9 March.
In that tweet, Yeoh had wondered about the fate of the National Strategy Plan in Handling the Causes of Child Marriage under her successor Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff of PAS.
The former deputy women, family, and community development (KPWKM) minister is being investigated under Section 505 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998
If found guilty of Section 505, Yeoh could face up to two years in jail, a fine, or both.
Additionally, if convicted of Section 233, she could face up to one year in jail, an RM50,000 fine, or both.
According to Bukit Aman CID deputy director (investigations/legal) Mior Faridalathrash Wahid, they initiated the investigation after a member of the public lodged a police report against Yeoh's 9 March tweet.
Police plan to take Yeoh's statement on 23 June, Malaysiakini reported.
Back in January, the Pakatan Harapan administration had launched the National Strategy Plan in Handling the Causes of Child Marriage
At the time, former deputy prime minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who was also the KPWKM minister, said that the plan provides a roadmap on addressing the root causes of child marriage by 2025.
However, with the change in administration in March, the direction now remains unclear.
According to a report in Malay Mail, women's rights groups have expressed their concerns over the appointment of Siti Zailah as deputy minister due to lack of confidence in her track record.
Following the publication of this SAYS story, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has now released a statement regarding their investigation:
