Malaysia lawmaker pleads guilty to polygamy
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 20 (AFP): A senior Malaysian Muslim lawmaker pleaded guilty Tuesday to a charge of polygamy after he married an actress without court permission, a court official said.
Muslim men in Malaysia are allowed up to four wives, but in certain parts of the country they must obtain written court consent or risk a fine or jail term under religious Sharia law.
Bung Mokhtar Radin (50), a vocal parliamentarian from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, and his second wife, Zizie Ezette A Samad (31), both pleaded guilty to committing polygamy.
"They pleaded guilty and have been released on a bail of 500 ringgit (155 dollars) each pending a trial to be heard on May 18," said an official at a religious court in the central state of Selangor state.
They were married in a private ceremony in December last year, according to news reports.
Bung's lawyers could not be reached for comment.
Activists and women's groups say polygamy is cruel and has deviated from its original purpose in Islam, which was to protect widows and orphans.
Under Selangor state religious law, the couple could face up to six months in jail and a fine if they are found guilty.
Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, where more than 60 per cent of its 27 million people are Muslim Malays. Polygamy is illegal for non-Muslims.
Muslim men in Malaysia are allowed up to four wives, but in certain parts of the country they must obtain written court consent or risk a fine or jail term under religious Sharia law.
Bung Mokhtar Radin (50), a vocal parliamentarian from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, and his second wife, Zizie Ezette A Samad (31), both pleaded guilty to committing polygamy.
"They pleaded guilty and have been released on a bail of 500 ringgit (155 dollars) each pending a trial to be heard on May 18," said an official at a religious court in the central state of Selangor state.
They were married in a private ceremony in December last year, according to news reports.
Bung's lawyers could not be reached for comment.
Activists and women's groups say polygamy is cruel and has deviated from its original purpose in Islam, which was to protect widows and orphans.
Under Selangor state religious law, the couple could face up to six months in jail and a fine if they are found guilty.
Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, where more than 60 per cent of its 27 million people are Muslim Malays. Polygamy is illegal for non-Muslims.