Rapist not exonerated by marriage to victim: Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR: A rapist will not be exonerated from his crime even if he marries the victim.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said sex with a minor whether it is consensual or not is still rape as per law and will not escape prosecution.
The Pengerang MP said this is provided for in Section 376(2) of the Penal Code, which carries a minimum 5 years and maximum 30 years jail term, with whipping.
"This issue should not be manipulated by any party because it has to be addressed together for the future of the new generation," she said.
Azalina's statement came in light of the brouhaha sparked by Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Shabudin Yahaya, who said its alright for a rapist to marry his victim.
On Tuesday, Shabudin had told the Dewan Rakyat that there was nothing wrong in the eye of the law for a rape victim to marry the rapist, suggesting that even a nine-year-old was "physically and spiritually" ready for marriage.
"And the girl who was raped, if she can get married she will not go through an uncertain future. At least she has a husband, this is a remedy to social problems," he said during a debate on a motion to ban child marriages," he had said.
This had drawn wide criticisms and counter responses from various quarters including Cabinet ministers and lawmakers.
It has also sparked a public uproar in the social media especially after the Sexual Offences Against Children Bill was tabled for a better protection for the children from sexual predators.