The move by the Kelantan government to provide incentives for men not to hide polygamous marriages does not mean it is encouraging polygamy, said Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

 

He said it was an effort to avoid family conflicts arising from polygamous marriages.  

“We are not encouraging polygamy but finding a way to ensure this is done in the open because it is a sensitive matter to both men and women,” he told reporters in Kota Baru today.  

Nik Aziz was asked to comment on remarks made by state Women, Family and Health Committee chairman Wan Ubaidah Omar in the state assembly on Tuesday that the state government planned to provide incentives to men in polygamous marriages not to be secretive about it.

Nik Aziz, who is also PAS spiritual leader, however, said the state government had yet to decide the type of incentive to be given.  

He added that the move was not forbidden by Islam and it also gave elderly spinsters an opportunity to get married and divorcees to re-marry.

- Bernama