Malaysian polygamist in trouble with law, girls' parents

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 19 Kyodo

Abdul Muin Hamid fueled the fantasy life of Malaysian men when he married two women at the same time and all three were reported to be living happily under the same roof, but now their domestic bliss is threatened, newspapers reported Friday.

Abdul Muin, a Muslim, is being probed by the Kedah State Islamic Religious Affairs Department, who believe the marriage was illegal as they did not obtain consent from the department to practice polygamy, the English-language daily Star said.

Muslim men are allowed to take up to four wives, but in Malaysia, only under strict rules set by the religious authorities. Abdul Muin avoided these restrictions by getting married in Thailand, the newspaper said.

If found guilty, Abdul Muin, 41, and his two wives, Suhaida Saad, 23, and Rohaya Romli, 25, could be fined up to 1,000 ringgit ($263) or jailed for six months.

The three are not only in trouble with the Islamic Religious Affairs Department but also with the parents of the two women.

The Malay-language daily Harian Metro reported recently that the parents had not given their blessings to the marriage.

Suhaida's parents told the newspaper that Abdul Muin had eloped with their daughter five years ago to Thailand and the couple had two children, aged 4 and 1.

Rohaya's parents alleged that Abdul Muin eloped with Rohaya, also to Thailand, last November.

Both sets of parents are now looking for Abdul Muin, saying he humiliated their families, especially when local newspapers made a big splash about the marriage.

Newspapers reported that Abdul Muin has since gone into hiding.

On Jan. 9, the three threw a big wedding party at Abdul Muin's house in Kedah which was attended by close to 4,000 people. The wedding had caught the attention of the media and Abdul Muin became an instant celebrity.

He boasted to the press that since the news appeared, he had received many calls from men wanting to know how he had managed the feat.

The religious affairs officers issued a warning to him, through the press, that he should not be sleeping with both wives at the same time as it is against Islamic law.

''This wedding should be an example to Muslims. A man can practice polygamy as long as he can afford it and both women love him. He should not marry them just to fulfill his lust,'' the Harian Metro quoted a religious affairs officer as saying.

Abdul Muin, a van driver, used to ferry Suhaida and Rohaya to work in a factory when he fell in love with both of them, according to the press.

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