Kota Kinabalu: Intending non-Muslim couples can no longer have their marriages registered at the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) premises in Kampong Air. Since last Dec. 19, to be exact.
This is because it suddenly dawned on the authorities that KKCCCI – 60 years following independence at that – is not a temple under Section 24(1) of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976.
This law stipulates that “Where any clergyman or minister or priest of any church or temple is appointed by the Minister to act as Assistant Registrar of Marriages for any marriage district, such clergyman or minister or priest may after delivery to him of a statutory declaration under subsection 22(3) solemnize any marriage, if the parties to the marriage or either of them profess the religion to which the church or temple belong, in accordance with the rites and ceremonies of that religion.”
