KUCHING: According to Sarawak Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, non-Muslims in Malaysia are only allowed to have one spouse under civil and customary laws, despite some individuals claiming to have married more than one person.
Fatimah made this statement in response to a case involving a local man who reportedly married two women at a wedding dinner in Kuching on March 12.
“We have laws that govern civil marriage, Muslim marriage, and native customary marriages in Sarawak,” she explained. “Our legal system stipulates that non-Muslims can only have one spouse in a civil marriage or native customary marriage.”
She also mentioned that the National Registration Department (NRD) informed her that the event was not a legal marriage ceremony but just a dinner reception.
“I cannot comment further as this matter falls outside the jurisdiction of my ministry,” Fatimah added.
Photos from the wedding dinner, showing the groom with two brides, have sparked discussions on social media.
The images depict the trio cutting a wedding cake, pouring champagne, and the groom linking arms with both brides, who were wearing matching wedding gowns.
On the other hand, Sin Chew Daily reported that the groom has not been called in for questioning by the police.
Kuching police chief Asst Supt Ahsmon Bajah stated that they have not received any reports related to the alleged wedding.
