The family of Rafizah Mohamad Ali is demanding that BN candidate for the Permatang Pasir by-election Rohaizat Othman openly declare that he has two wives, including Rafizah who resides in Pahang.

permatang pasir by election 180809 rohaizat othman.jpg Speaking to Malaysiakini , Rafizah's father Mohamad Ali Abdullah, 59, has given his 'son-in-law' until tonight to make the announcement.

Apart from mulling legal action against Rohaizat, Mohamad Ali is also considering asking Pakatan Rakyat ceramah speakers to explain this issue to the people.

Mohamad Ali said the nikah (marriage) ceremony between Rohaizat and his daughter took place in Pekan in 2005 and was registered the same year.

"He has to declare that he has two wives so that the voters have no doubts. Otherwise, it will be tantamount to lying to the people.

"What is there to be afraid of? Who should we be afraid of? Fear man or God... I would be grateful if he can make the declaration," he said, adding that his 29-year-old daughter is the sixth of 10 children.

Mohamad Ali said if Rohaizat makes the declaration, then he should act fairly towards his second wife, especially on the issue of providing nafkah (subsistence).

Daughter 'under pressure'

For the time being, he said his daughter will not make a public appearance.

Elaborating, he claimed that his daughter has come ‘under pressure’ from Rohaizat and BN politicians over the matter.

To a question, Mohamad Ali said he was aware that Rohaizat, 38, had a wife when he married off his daughter to him.

He claimed that he did so in order to prevent anything undesirable from happening since his daughter had agreed to marry Rohaizat.

Asked why he was only exposing this now, Mohamad Ali said he did not wish to interfere in the domestic affairs of his daughter.

Furthermore, he added that Rohaizat had been a responsible husband.

"I am only providing a solution in their best interests. I can only advise the couple, that's all," he added.

However, Mohamad Ali is confident that the problem between the couple can be resolved without the need for a divorce.

"A divorce would be the last resort, I do not want them to get divorced. This matter can be resolved through discussions without the need to go to court," he said.

The 'second wife' revelation came from PAS and Rohaizat, who was already hit by news of his disbarring as a lawyer for financial misconduct made headlines, denied this.

PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hasan had alleged that Rafizah accused Rohaizat of treating her as a mistress and failed to provide adequate nafkah.

Nasrudin also said that Rohaizat would be unfit to represent the public if he cannot even handle his own domestic affairs.

Come Tuesday, Rohaizat will be facing PAS' Mohd Salleh Man for the Permatang Pasir state seat by-election in Penang.