PETALING JAYA • The picture of an 18-year-old marrying a woman 24 years older than him in Malaysia has gone viral on social media.

After all, it is not every day that a man chooses to marry a woman twice his age and still receives the blessings of his family.

But that is exactly what happened in the town of Kuala Penyu, in Sabah, when Mr Mohd Sufie Alin wedded a single mother of five, Ms Dayang Sopiah Gusti, 42, on Friday.

A picture of the groom putting a gold ring on the bride's finger during the solemnisation ceremony went viral on Facebook on Friday, garnering plenty of mixed reactions from netizens.

Commenting on the marriage, the groom's father, Mr Matalin Utam, 52, told Harian Metro: "They are mature enough to make their own decisions, including getting married.

"What is important is that Sufie did not disturb someone else's wife and they wish to continue their relationship the Islamic way.

"Therefore, I have no problem and consider Sopiah to be the soulmate of Sufie, which has been decided by God," he told the Malay daily.

Though he was surprised to hear about his son's choice just days before the wedding, Mr Alin said age was no barrier.

"I was able to advise Sufie to be a responsible husband as he does not only need to care for his wife but also his five stepsons," he said.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK