DEPUTY Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today said only the first wives of Muslim men will receive the RM50 top-up to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) scheme for housewives proposed by the federal government.

She was responding to a question by Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali (PAS-Kuala Nerus) on whether the second and third wives of Muslim men are eligible for the extra funds.

“That is the husband’s responsibility. The government will provide the extra contribution only for the first wife,” she said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

She said Muslim men who wanted to be polygamous should be able to provide for their other spouses, and not rely on the government.

“This is not a living allowance (nafkah), this is for (their) future savings.

“Why would the government give an additional living allowance (to spouses other than first wives)?” said Dr Wan Azizah, who also holds the women, family and community development portfolio.

Under the proposed EPF scheme, housewives without a fixed income would get 2% of their husband’s 11% contribution to the EPF. The government would then contribute a further RM50.

MPs laughed when Khairuddin posed the question, and when Dr Wan Azizah answered.

Malaysia allows for Muslim men to take up to four wives.

Dr Wan Azizah previously said the proposed EPF scheme would not incur additional deductions from the husband’s salary. – July 18, 2018.