KAJANG, July 8 — The case of the 41-year-old Kelantanese man who married an 11-year-old girl as his third wife is being closely monitored, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said today.

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also women, family and community development minister, said the authorities are keeping a close eye on the girl.

"At the moment, she is under observation while a thorough investigation is still ongoing,” she said.

In a statement later, The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry clarified that the girl had undergone a health examination with a Child Care specialist at the Kuala Krai Hospital on July 4 and that no sign abused or injury were found.

The statement added however the full report of the examination is yet to be released.

The girl’s family is also currently in Kota Baru, waiting for the Thai authorities to make the necessary arrangement for them to return home.

The girl’s parents are expected to return to Malaysia in the near future.

Dr Wan Azizah said the girl’s husband could be charged, but quickly added that the ministry is still collecting more information

Under the Kelantan Islamic Law enactment, it is an offence for a girl under the age of 16 to be married without written consent from the Syariah Court.

It was reported previously that currently, there are no records either in court or at the Gua Musang Religious Office allowing the marriage between the minor and the 41-year-old man.

If found guilty, the individual concerned could be fined up to RM1,000, or imprisoned for up to six months, or both.