On May 19, 2025, the Faculty of Law at Universiti Malaya hosted the Islamic Medical Law and Ethics Forum (MEDISME), themed “The Reality of Teenage Pregnancies and Abortion: Ethical, Religious, and Public Health Challenges.” Organised by the Law Faculty Islamic Student Association (LISA), the forum convened experts from medicine, law, and public health to explore the complex intersections of teenage pregnancy and abortion in Malaysia’s socioreligious context.

Multidisciplinary Perspectives on a Complex Issue

The forum featured a distinguished panel of speakers:

Dr Victor Hoe Chee Wai Bin Abdullah, Professor of Public Health and Head of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, addressed the public health implications of teenage pregnancies and abortion.
Dr. Ramizah binti Wan Muhammad, Associate Professor at the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, IIUM, spoke about Islamic criminal law and gender issues.
Dr Rahmah binti Saaid, Senior Lecturer and Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UM, provided clinical insights into maternal-foetal medicine and the management of teenage pregnancies.

The forum was moderated by Dr Mohammad Firdaus bin Abdul Aziz, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Dean (Research & Innovation), Faculty of Law, UM, an expert in bioethics and biosafety law. Professor Dr Jason Chuah, the Dean of the Faculty of Law at Universiti Malaya, officiated the event.

Key Themes and Reflections

The forum provided an in-depth exploration of the ethical, legal, religious, and public health dimensions of teenage pregnancies and abortion in Malaysia.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ramizah elucidated the distinctions between civil and Syariah law, drawing attention to Malaysia’s dual legal system and its implications for reproductive health decision-making. She also highlighted how Islamic legal principles provide a framework for navigating sensitive issues such as abortion, underscoring the importance of context-specific interpretations within clinical and legal settings.

Dr. Rahmah emphasised the primacy of safeguarding the health and well-being of the teenager. She explained that at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), decisions regarding the management of teenage pregnancies are made through a multidisciplinary approach. This includes collaboration among healthcare professionals, legal advisors, and Islamic scholars to ensure decisions are ethically sound, legally compliant, and religiously informed.

Prof. Dr. Victor Hoe addressed the broader social determinants contributing to teenage pregnancies. He underscored the significance of tackling root causes such as poverty, weakened family structures, and the socio-economic vulnerabilities of families residing in low-cost urban housing. He stressed that rather than placing blame on individuals, society must adopt a collective responsibility approach, creating inclusive, supportive systems that address the underlying issues and prevent marginalisation of those affected.

Implications for Public Health

The MEDISME forum exemplifies the value of interdisciplinary engagement in addressing sensitive public health issues. By integrating legal, religious, and medical perspectives, the forum fostered holistic approaches to teenage pregnancy and abortion. Such dialogues are essential in developing culturally appropriate policies and care models that uphold both ethical standards and community values.