IPOH: The Perak government is considering a proposal to introduce a special mass polygamy wedding package, said Islamic Religious Affairs, Islamic Education and Personality Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Nizar Zakaria.
He said the state government currently only runs a mass monogamy wedding programme, which began in 2013, and takes place every Sept 16.
"We will review the proposal. We are aware that among the causes of polygamy are marriages solemnised abroad due to the custodian's (wali) disapproval of the union.
"At the state and federal level, we frequently deal with certain countries like Thailand, especially on the issue of polygamy," he said.
Nizar was replying to a supplementary question from Abu Bakar Hussian (PAS-Titi Serong) who wanted to know if the state government is ready to introduce the special polygamy package.
When replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohammad Daud Mohd Yusof (BN-Selama), Nizar said couples married through the polygamy programme would be listed under Kelab Rakan Nikah Jama'ie to curb divorce cases.
He added that those who are married under the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPK) must undergo a pre-marriage course divided into four phases, for the first five years of marriage. -- BERNAMA