Muslim polygamists who dump their first wives after "extracting all their sweetness" should be whipped until they become impotent, said PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat in remarks published today.

Nik Aziz, chief minister of Kelantan state, was chiding the state assembly yesterday for not debating polygamy in a serious manner, The Star newspaper reported.

Muslim men are allowed to take four wives, but Nik Aziz questioned the motives of those who marry more than one: "Does he take on a second wife in order to ensure the woman's welfare or is it to satisfy his own lusts?"

He suggested there should be legislation to differentiate between those who practise polygamy for noble reasons and those who do it for selfish motives.

The debate was sparked by one assemblyman proposing that "polygamy certificates" be issued to all assemblymen so they could take on additional wives "without the need to deal with bureaucracy". AFP