MALAYSIA, KOTA BARU: A man on the run from the law for allegedly marrying an underaged girl has been detained at the Pasir Mas railway station.

The 33-year-old man, who had been hiding from the authorities for almost one month, was picked up at 6.30pm on Tuesday. He has been remanded for three days from yesterday.

The suspect is being investigated under Section 31 (1)(b) of the Child Act which carries imprisonment up to 10 years or a fine up to RM20,000 (S$8460) or both, if convicted.

He is said to have married the daughter of tabligh sect leader Shamsuddin Che Deraman, 41. Shamsudin or Sudin Ajaib was reported to have married off his 10-year-old daughter to a man known as Azhar, said to be a member of the sect, while they were travelling in a car last

month. The girl is now being looked after by her uncle. Kelantan Criminal Investigation Department chief ACP Mazlan Lazim said police were also tracking down Shamsudin for allegedly marrying an 11-year-old girl in Kuala Krai, Kelantan, last month.

The girl was found at Madrasah Al-Ikhwan, near Batu Caves on March 12. - Bernama