Malaysian state promotes itself as polygamist paradise

Malaysian state promotes itself as polygamist paradise

Sean Yoong, Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur

Muslim authorities in a northern Malaysian state have loosened
polygamy laws in an attempt to dissuade men from sneaking abroad
to marry new wives, a cleric said on Thursday.

More than 100 Muslim men have recently married second spouses
in Perlis state, 500 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur, after
authorities relaxed rules making it difficult for some men to wed
again, Jahya Husein, the state's top Islamic cleric, said.

"This is what we're publicizing -- if you want to practice
polygamy, come to Perlis," Jahya told The Associated Press.
"Don't run off to Thailand to get married secretly."

Under Islamic laws enforced in Malaysia, Muslim men can have
up to four wives but they need to fulfill various requirements
before they can marry again, including obtaining signed
permission from their existing spouse and the state religious
department.

Illegal polygamy is punishable by prison sentences and fines
handed down by Islamic courts.

Despite the risks, more than 500 Malaysian husbands held
secret weddings in neighboring Thailand last year and returned
home with their additional wives, government officials estimate.

Nearly two-thirds of Malaysia's 23 million people are ethnic
Malay Muslims, who are subject to Islamic as well as secular
laws. The country is widely viewed as a moderate Muslim nation,
and polygamy is relatively rare outside wealthy circles and
royalty.

But the reduction of red tape in Perlis could make the
practice more common, Jahya said.

Husbands in the tiny, mostly rural state no longer need their
wives' written consent to remarry. Polygamy registration rates
have been made more affordable - 500 ringgit (US$130) for Perlis
residents and 1,000 ringgit (US$260) for Malaysian outsiders. Men
also need not undergo fresh marital instruction courses before
remarrying, which is customary in other states.

But some restrictions still apply. Husbands should be
financially secure to support a second family and confirm they
are not trying to hurt their existing spouse by remarrying.

Authorities fear illegal marriages involving foreign brides
could lead to social ills, broken marriages with existing spouses
and complications when the couple have children.

Lo'lo Ghazali, a senior women's leader in the opposition Pan-
Malaysian Islamic Party, expressed hope that the relaxation of
rules in Perlis would reduce illegal marriages, which she said
violated Islamic values and threatened the rights of wives.

"Polygamy is not wrong," Lo'lo told the AP. "If the move in
Perlis keeps men from having mistresses or illegal wives by
making it easier to marry twice legally, then it is good."