S'pore men seek wives, mistresses in Bintan

S'pore men seek wives, mistresses in Bintan

Agence France-Presse, Singapore

Increasing number of Singaporean men are finding mistresses and
wives on Indonesia's Bintan island, with some of them converting
to Islam to appease local sentiments, the Sunday Times reported.

Many of them acquire their women from brothels and nightclubs
and do not formalize their marriages out of fear their families
would find out, the report said.

"There are streets full of babies here by Singapore men," said
a 27-year-old security guard.

Sam, a 38 year-old factory worker, converted to Islam in order
to marry an Indonesian woman two years ago, but his family still
does not know about it.

"His family will be very mad if they ever find out," said
Sinta, his Indonesian wife.

According to village chief Syamsul Bahari, half of the 40 men
who have sought to build homes in his village are non-Muslims
from Singapore.

The Singaporean men -- dubbed "weekend husbands" -- also give
their wives and mistresses monthly pocket money of up to S$1,000
(US$578).

For many of the Indonesian women, it is a passport for them to
a better life.

"Ugly or handsome, I don't care as long as they can take care
of my expenses," said Zai, a 24-year-old who used to be with a
Singaporean man.