The Perlis state Islamic authorities' recent move to make it easier for Muslim men to marry more than one wife is an attempt by the Barisan Nasional government — read Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad — to address what must have been a worrying trend of Muslim men crossing the border to get married.

The fact is, Muslim men are allowed to have more than one wife only with certain preconditions, but try telling that to men who have made up their mind to take on more. Whether wrong or right is not the issue but ironically, what drives them is their religious conscience in not to have to live in sin and commit adultery on a regular basis.

And so droves of Muslims cross the border to circumvent the man-made law of having to obtain the consent of the first wife. They would rather play hide and seek than to face the wrath of a woman scorned which may lead to a messy divorce.

I guess Dr Mahathir must have realised this and decided that instead of 'fighting' it, he might as well regulate it — much like gambling in Malaysia.

Hence, the announcement during the recent Hari Raya 'open-house' held in Kedah. This way, the government can make some money too while 'endearing' itself to the Malay men with high testosterone levels and religious convictions.

For as 'innovative' as Shahidan Kassim is, he is but a loyal soldier and would not have dared to do so without the blessings of his chief.