KOTA BARU: Women in Kelantan, mainly widows or spinsters, are turning to foreign men to take on as spouses to escape the stigma of being unmarried.
These women, the majority of whom are financially secure, would offer their potential partners a monthly allowance, accommodation, a car or motorcycle, as well as business opportunities.
These remunerations are sometimes part of a marriage deal, also known as kahwin kontrak or contract marriages, where the couples unofficially pledge to remain married for a certain period, which can be as long as five years.
Immigration data obtained by the New Straits Times showed that in 2022, 17,137 applications were made by Kelantan residents for long-term social visit passes for their foreign spouses.
The number decreased slightly to 17,036 last year.
From the numbers, an average of 12,000 applicants were women applying for passes for their foreign husbands annually.
Immigration data also showed that the majority of foreign spouses in Kelantan comprised Thais, followed by Bangladeshis and Myanmar men.
An Immigration source said kahwin kontrak was not a new practice.
"Last year, the Immigration Department found that many foreign men married local women for the same purposes — benefits such as housing and work, as well as allowances.
"In the contract, usually lasting more than three years, the women, mostly rich widows and spinsters, agree to pay the foreigners a certain amount each month.
"Their new husbands would then be tasked with managing the wives' business or a new venture."
The source said checks showed that the women did so out of loneliness and to escape the stigma of remaining unmarried.
The source added that in the department's interviews with the women on why they married foreigners, they replied that Malaysian men usually preferred to marry younger women.
"The foreign men, in turn, do not mind as long as their partners are financially stable and they have an opportunity to remain in Malaysia longer."
The NST spoke to a widow, who wished to be only known as Ani, from Paloh.
The 65-year-old said she lost her husband to diabetes in 2018. Her three children have since married and moved out.
In 2020, she married a 38-year-old Myanmar man and entered into a five-year contract.
"I had no one to help me run my business.
"I agreed to marry him as there were more pros than cons," said Ani, who runs a thriving frozen food business.
She said her wedding was held in Kampung Kota, attended by her relatives and the groom's friends.
"My children didn't mind as long as I had someone to look after me and help me with running the business."
Another woman, who wished to be known only as Sheila, said she married an Indonesian man because she was tired of being labelled a spinster.
Sheila, who runs a restaurant in Kota Baru, said most of the unkind jibes came from neighbours and acquaintances.
"I was tired of the gossips. My parents were relieved when I got married," she said, adding that her husband was two years older than her.
"I don't mind as long as I become a wife."
Not all marriages, however, come with stipulations.
A Pakistani man, who wished to be known only as Jahangir, said he was aware that some viewed marriages between foreigners and local women with suspicion.
Jahangir said he was 22 when he married his Kelantanese wife, Ida, in 2012 after getting to know her through Facebook for a year.
He said Ida was a widow with five children and 18 years older than him.
Jahangir, now 38, said love blossomed, and he moved to Kota Baru to marry her.
The couple now operate Ida's sundry shop. They also have a 9-year-old son.
Ida said her five children have accepted Jahangir as their stepfather.
"We married because we loved each other. He is a great husband and father to my kids."
Ida said many of Jahangir's friends have tied the knot through the method.
"Several of our friends have entered into contract marriages. We've even attended a few. Some are happy while others separated before the contracts ended."