Kuala Lampur, Nov. 19 -- The federal government cannot enforce a ban on child marriages nationwide as seven states are not cooperating, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail revealed in Parliament today.

The deputy prime minister told Dewan Rakyat during the Minister's Question Time only Selangor has successfully amended its laws on child marriages.

"Amending the enactment/legal ordinance on minimum age for marriages can only happen if the states agreed with the proposed amendments. Only Selangor has amended the enactment while the Federal Territories is in the process of amending it.

"Five other states that have agreed to amend (the law) are Penang, Sabah, Johor, Melaka and Perak.

"There are still seven states that disagreed with the l...