SISTERS in Islam (SIS) communications officer Aleza Nadia Othman said that it is imperative for the public to discern the true nature of PAS as a failed opposition, more preoccupied with inconsequential matters than responsibly scrutinising and balancing the government.

This comes in response to a suggestion from PAS leader Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man that the solution for late marriage among women is polygamy.

“The time has come to discern their tactics and refocus efforts on addressing genuine issues that significantly impact the well-being of our populace.

“The fixation on polygamy as a solution – amid a context where 8.4 million women remain unmarried – showcases PAS’s lack of sensibility and disconnect from the urgent needs of our society,“ she said in a statement.

Yesterday, Tuan Ibrahim said that polygamy is not the teaching of PAS but is permitted in Islam.

“We must be rational. If a man is capable, qualified and fair, a huge moral support must be given to them (to practise polygamy).”

Tuan Ibrahim had said Muslim men should marry more than one woman as this could solve the issue of Muslim women marrying late in life.

The PAS deputy president said many in the country still find polygamy a sensitive issue.

“It is as if we are committing a crime,” he said while debating the 2024 Supply Bill for the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry at the committee stage on Wednesday.

Aleza said that it has become apparent that PAS continues to redirect attention from societal challenges by emphasising matters that do not address the pressing issues, particularly women’s rights.

“In reality, the ramifications of polygamy, extensively examined by SIS, unveil the intricacies and hardships endured by wives.

“This is reflected in the ‘Telenisa: Statistic and Findings Report 2022’ that 24% of polygamous marriages occur without the wife’s consent.

“18% of husbands in polygamous marriages fail to provide for their wives and 14% neglect child maintenance.”

PAS’s feigned display of concern serves as a facade for self-serving objectives.

“They prioritise the retention of power at the expense of advocacy for women’s rights, gender equality, and internationally recognised conventions such as Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

“Their actions, rather than reflecting the responsible conduct of an opposition, demonstrate a desperate attempt to sustain attention through any available means.”

She also added that the absence of a centralised marriage registration system enables men to sidestep the obligation of informing existing wives about polygamous intentions, intensifying the predicaments faced by women.

“The reduced support after subsequent marriages, and regressive amendments to the Islamic Family Law (IFL) compound the challenges for first wives.

“The 2005 IFL amendment at that time, no longer mandating a polygamous marriage to be proven both just and necessary, undermines the fundamental principle of justice in such unions.“ – November 24, 2023