Country proposes paying £92 to every person willing to get married

The announcement has sparked major backlash. 16:19, Mon, Aug 31, 2026 Updated: 16:30, Mon, Aug 31, 2026 People in parts of Malaysia could receive a financial reward for getting married (Image: Getty)A state in Malaysia has proposed a financial reward for couples as young as 15 if they marry, sparking criticism from human rights groups and some politicians. Authorities in Perak, a state on the western side of Malaysia, just north of capital Kuala Lumpur, are considering a one-off payment of 500 ringgit (£92) for people aged between 15 and 35 who are getting married for the first time. The proposal would be open to people born in Perak or those who have lived in the state for at least 10 years.It was unanimously approved by the Perak Youth Assembly, an advisory forum for young people, and it