Cleric defends polygamous politicians

KEDIRI, East Java: Chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Sahal Mahfudz sees no need to classify politicians who practice polygamy among the so-called "rotten" politicians, saying that marrying more than one women did not indicate immorality under Islam.

Sahal, who is also a patron of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Muslim organization, said on Thursday that polygamy was justified by sharia and was not against national law.

"If polygamy is considered immoral, then my question is, which is better -- practicing polygamy or having affairs," he said.

A group of activists launched a campaign last month against unscrupulous legislative candidates -- those who had been involved in human rights violations, environmental destruction, corruption and immoral sexual activities. Recently, they added polygamy to the criteria.

The activists plan to disclose the list of crooked politicians ahead of the April general elections.

"They have to make it clear as to why they consider polygamy immoral, when it is allowed under Islam," Sahal said. -- Antara