ALLOWING polygamy for Muslim men can be a possible solution to address the issue of late marriage among Muslim women, says PAS politician Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (pic).
The Kubang Kerian MP said the issue is sensitive among many people.
“When we discuss polygamy, it is as if we are committing a crime.
“We must be rational. If a man is capable, qualified and fair, a huge moral support must be given to them (to practise polygamy),” he said during the debate on the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry at the committee stage in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Tuan Ibrahim provided his own statistics that there are more than 8.4 million single women in the country.
“I know this is not the final solution, but this matter can be a way out to address the issue of late marriage, and I am sure some of those on the other side (government bench) will also consider this,” pointing at the government bloc, drawing laughter from the floor.
Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) then asked Tuan Ibrahim, “Do you have one or two (wives)?” which drew laughter again from the MPs.
Tuan Ibrahim replied that he only supports the suggestion.
“In terms of capability and needs, if you are capable, please go ahead. Although I only have one (wife), I have three more empty spots.
“I will wait, maybe we can move together,” he told Mohd Isam.Yeo Bee Yin (PH-Puchong) criticised Tuan Ibrahim for making a “sexist” remark on polygamy.
“It is impolite to encourage polygamy and it hurts the sentiments of women and wives within the Dewan Rakyat and outside,” she said while Women’s, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri was winding up her ministerial reply on the Budget 2024.She also added that women should not be deemed as having a “problem” for being unmarried, adding that it is the right and personal choice of women to decide whether they want to get married.
Yeo also urged Tuan Ibrahim to retract his statement.
“Don’t bully women just because we are smaller in numbers (in the Dewan Rakyat).”
