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Battle of the sexes rages in Malaysia over polygamy
Kuala Lumpur, Jan 05: Malaysia`s Muslim men seem increasingly keen on polygamy, just as women`s groups are plotting how to curb husbands` rights to as many as four wives.
Kuala Lumpur, Jan 05: Malaysia's Muslim men seem increasingly keen on polygamy, just as women's groups are plotting how to curb husbands' rights to as many as four wives.
One politician -- a male -- is so enthusiastic about the practice that he wants women who allow their husbands to marry a second wife to receive medals of honour.
Women, however, don't seem too keen on the medals.
"We want the legal system to restrict the practice of polygamy," Ruzana Udin, the spokeswoman for Sisters in Islam (SIS), told AFP. But it will be an uphill battle.
The government of Northern Perlis state has announced that it will do away with the need to obtain a first wife's written consent to a second marriage to stop men flocking across the border to marry again in less-restrictive Thailand.
The minister of women and family development, Shahriza Abdul Jalil, called the move an insult to women.
Another Northern state, Terengganu, is preparing to issue legislators with undated letters authorising them to take another wife at any time.
That idea seems to have left the women speechless with rage, while men who are not elected representatives might be wondering why they are left out of such an easing of the rules.
Although Islamic Sharia laws vary from state to state in Muslim-majority Malaysia, they generally require the signed consent of a man's first wife before he is allowed to take a second.
Bureau Report
One politician -- a male -- is so enthusiastic about the practice that he wants women who allow their husbands to marry a second wife to receive medals of honour.
Women, however, don't seem too keen on the medals.
"We want the legal system to restrict the practice of polygamy," Ruzana Udin, the spokeswoman for Sisters in Islam (SIS), told AFP. But it will be an uphill battle.
The government of Northern Perlis state has announced that it will do away with the need to obtain a first wife's written consent to a second marriage to stop men flocking across the border to marry again in less-restrictive Thailand.
The minister of women and family development, Shahriza Abdul Jalil, called the move an insult to women.
Another Northern state, Terengganu, is preparing to issue legislators with undated letters authorising them to take another wife at any time.
That idea seems to have left the women speechless with rage, while men who are not elected representatives might be wondering why they are left out of such an easing of the rules.
Although Islamic Sharia laws vary from state to state in Muslim-majority Malaysia, they generally require the signed consent of a man's first wife before he is allowed to take a second.
Bureau Report