POLYGAMY, THE RIGHTWAY
It will be easier for Malaysian Muslims to practise polygamy as state governments are rolling out measures to register marriages solemnised abroad, write
THE authorities believe more Malaysians are seeking to get their polygamous marriages solemnised in Thailand. But a good number of the couples fail to register the nuptials in Malaysia. The consequences are far-reaching. Several states are trying to remedy the situation.
weekends,” he told the
“Malaysian couples must first and foremost be from places that are more than 96km or two
from where the bride’s (father, male sibling or close relative) resides,” he said.
Aziz said the couples were required to collect their marriage certificates a week later. He said the new office was also established to counter illegal marriage syndicates operating along the border.
“Many Malaysian couples have complained that they were cheated by syndicates. With the new office here, I hope we can put a stop to this,” he said.
The council office is likely to receive a steady stream of couples eager to enter polygamous marriages as Kelantan Family Development, Welfare and People’s Wellbeing Committee chairman Mumtaz Md Nawi announced recently that men who met conditions stipulated under syariah were encouraged to practise polygamy to promote the spread of Islam and carry on the family lineage. Aziz said the number of Malaysian couples tying the knot in Narathiwat had reduced by half last year from the year before.
“In 2015, an estimated 300 Malaysian couples got married in Narathiwat. Last year, the number dropped to 150,” he said, adding that this was because couples had the option of getting married in Songkhla, 112km north of Perlis, where they could register their marriages at the Malaysian consulate office.
However, couples who get married in Narathiwat are required to register their marriages at their religious departments in Malaysia.
Aziz applauded the move by