The DAP Women today commended Women and Family Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil for censuring the Perlis state government's paving of an easier path to polygamy.

Agreeing with Shahrizat that the move insults women, DAP Women Chief Chong Eng added that it was also unfair to the wife and children from the first marriage.

"In fact, this is against Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution, which states, among others, no discrimination based on sex," said Chong, who is also the member of Parliament for Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

The Barisan Nasional-led Perlis state government has announced that it will do away with the need to obtain a first wife's written consent to a second marriage, in an attempt to stop men flocking across the border to marry again in less-restrictive Thailand.