Over 30 and without a husband? PAS lawmaker proposes polygamy to single women
The PAS deputy president said the number of single women in the country, which he put at around eight million, is a cause for concern and suggested polygamy as a ‘way out’. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin
Wednesday, 22 Nov 2023 6:59 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — Kubang Kerian MP Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man today suggested a policy that “provides moral support” for single women over 30 to enter polygamous marriage.
The PAS deputy president said the number of single women in the country, which he put at around eight million, is a cause for concern. He suggested polygamy could be a “way out” and that the government should not portray it as negative.
“I don’t understand why polygamy is a sensitive issue. When we mention polygamy, it’s like someone committed a crime. For those who are eligible and can be fair, moral support should be given,” he said during the Budget 2024 committee stage debate under the Ministry of Women, Children and Community Development.
“Imagine there are 8.4 million women who are still not married. Even if it (polygamy) is not the ultimate solution, it can be a way out; how to solve this problem,” the Kubang Kerian MP added.
“Maybe this is something the ministry can consider.”
In Malaysia, polygamy is legal for Muslims but the practice remains controversial.
Muslim conservatives argue that polygamous marriage is allowed by Islam while progressives say that interpretation is debatable in the modern era.
Groups like Sisters of Islam, a think tank that pushes for a more progressive interpretation of the faith, say support for polygamy came from the act of Prophet Muhammad marrying several women whose husbands were killed in wars. In today’s world, they argue polygamy is not ideal.
PAS leaders have been among the most vocal in supporting polygamy.
Tuan Ibrahim’s suggestion was met with criticism from female MPs. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh went on X, formerly Twitter, to question why Tuan Ibrahim thinks being single is a problem.
“A PAS parliamentarian suggested women who marry late is a problem. Yang Berhormat, in my opinion, marrying late isn’t a problem that needs to be solved,” Yeoh wrote.
“What is the point of getting married if you’re going to be neglected,” she added.
Allegations of negligence are rife among those in polygamous marriages, according to critics of the practice.
Wednesday, 22 Nov 2023 6:59 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — Kubang Kerian MP Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man today suggested a policy that “provides moral support” for single women over 30 to enter polygamous marriage.
The PAS deputy president said the number of single women in the country, which he put at around eight million, is a cause for concern. He suggested polygamy could be a “way out” and that the government should not portray it as negative.
“I don’t understand why polygamy is a sensitive issue. When we mention polygamy, it’s like someone committed a crime. For those who are eligible and can be fair, moral support should be given,” he said during the Budget 2024 committee stage debate under the Ministry of Women, Children and Community Development.
“Imagine there are 8.4 million women who are still not married. Even if it (polygamy) is not the ultimate solution, it can be a way out; how to solve this problem,” the Kubang Kerian MP added.
“Maybe this is something the ministry can consider.”
In Malaysia, polygamy is legal for Muslims but the practice remains controversial.
Muslim conservatives argue that polygamous marriage is allowed by Islam while progressives say that interpretation is debatable in the modern era.
Groups like Sisters of Islam, a think tank that pushes for a more progressive interpretation of the faith, say support for polygamy came from the act of Prophet Muhammad marrying several women whose husbands were killed in wars. In today’s world, they argue polygamy is not ideal.
PAS leaders have been among the most vocal in supporting polygamy.
Tuan Ibrahim’s suggestion was met with criticism from female MPs. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh went on X, formerly Twitter, to question why Tuan Ibrahim thinks being single is a problem.
“A PAS parliamentarian suggested women who marry late is a problem. Yang Berhormat, in my opinion, marrying late isn’t a problem that needs to be solved,” Yeoh wrote.
“What is the point of getting married if you’re going to be neglected,” she added.
Allegations of negligence are rife among those in polygamous marriages, according to critics of the practice.
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kt notes:
Two years ago a MP commented:
According to MyGovernment, which is a “single gateway to all government online services”, polygamy is required by Islam, among others, due to the husband’s “incredible sense of sexual desire” that the wife cannot fulfil.
Polygamy was originally a social solution for ancient societies where male life expectancy was short, many men died young, and many marriageable women would either never got married or were left as widows.
ReplyDeleteBut that is no longer true of modern society.