M'sians Debate Legality Of Chinese Man Marrying 2 Wives After Wedding Photos Go Viral
The Chinese man is said to be a kolo mee vendor in Kuching.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 13 Mar 2024, 11:04 AM
Malaysians are debating the legality of a Chinese man marrying two wives after photos from their wedding ceremony in Kuching, Sarawak, went viral
According to China Press, the Chinese man purportedly wedded a Chinese woman and an Indonesian woman, as indicated by their names displayed on the large screen at the wedding ceremony stage.
The trio can be seen wearing both traditional Chinese and Western wedding outfits. Viral photos from the wedding ceremony show the groom holding both women's hands as they recite their wedding vows.
During the champagne pouring and cake cutting ceremonies, the 'throuple' — a term used to describe a relationship between three people — performed all the customs together in unison.
The photos were reportedly shared on social media by an employee of the restaurant where the wedding ceremony was held, but the post has since been taken down.
The man is said be a kolo mee vendor at a supermarket's food court in Kuching
Sin Chew Daily confirmed that the groom is the owner of the stall after interviewing other vendors at the food court.
They said they attended the wedding ceremony held on Monday night, 11 March, describing it as a lively celebration, where the newlyweds received warm blessings from those present.
Commenting on the legality of the marriage, Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok, an assistant marriage registrar at the Kuching Teochew Association (KTA), said all non-Muslim marriages must be monogamous
Sim, who is also the SUPP Stakan branch chairman, told Oriental Daily that bigamy for non-Muslims is an offence under the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976.
He clarified that unless the person involved is a Muslim or holds a wedding ceremony without formal marriage registration, they have not committed bigamy.
KTA is an organisation appointed by the National Registration Department to conduct marriage registration ceremonies.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Sri Fatimah Abdullah explained that there are two common types of marriages under the Malaysian law: Muslim marriages and civil marriages for non-Muslims, reported Dayak Daily.
However, she said there are also native customary marriages in Sarawak.
"Under our legal system, a non-Muslim can only marry one person, whether it is under civil marriage or customary marriage. For Muslim marriages, the law states that they have their own rules," she told reporters at a press conference yesterday, 12 March.
Fatimah added that that her ministry's jurisdiction does not cover matters pertaining to the enforcement of marriage laws.
In a related matter, Kuching district chief police ACP Ahsmon Bajah denied the rumours that the groom was summoned by the police for questioning, reported Nanyang Daily.
