Bersatu’s Lumut MP, Nordin Ahmad Ismail, recited a pantun which touched on polygamy on Tuesday, with PAS’s Kubang Kerian MP, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, joining in yesterday by suggesting that polygamy could be the “way out” for the 4.8 million Malaysian women over 30 years old who are unmarried.
Stressing that she was “appalled and disgusted” by such comments, Teo said they point towards the seeming “unkind and disrespectful” view the coalition holds towards women.
“Having been privy to these two instances, I must say I am deeply disturbed by the pattern of thinking these MPs have about polygamy, and the role of women,” the DAP MP said in a statement today.
“They spend so much time frivolously parading it around when they should look into more pertinent issues such as the increase in divorce cases arising from adultery, failure to provide alimony, and other domestic issues.”
Citing data from the statistics department, Teo noted that there were 43,934 divorce cases in 2021, with more than 23,000 of those cases involving young couples.
“However, do we see PN members advocating for a better environment in which young couples can thrive?” she asked.
“No. Rather than using the time allocated to them by the rakyat, they would much prefer to campaign for polygamy – because that is what gets them views and attention.”
She said MPs should hold themselves to a higher standard when speaking in public as words have the “immense power” to shape and influence perception.
On Tuesday, in his question to a minister, Nordin stood up and said: “Ada hati nak tambah isteri, tambah isteri nombor dua, Assalamualaikum YB menteri, soalan saya nombor dua.” (“I have the intention of getting another wife, she will be my No 2, Assalamualaikum dear minister, my question is No 2.”)
He later claimed that the poem was made in jest, telling Malaysiakini that his family would take no offence to it.
Yesterday, Tuan Ibrahim, who is the PAS deputy president, said the government should provide moral support to those capable and eligible to have second wives in view of the 4.8 million unmarried Malaysian women over the age of 30.
“I think many from the other side (government bench) will agree with me on this,” he said. “This is just an idea for the government to consider in finding an answer (to the problem).”