KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition member of parliament proposed polygamy as a way out for unmarried women aged 30 and above.
Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (Kubang Kerian-PN) told Dewan Rakyat that the statistics from 2010 Census showed that there were 4.8 million unmarried women aged 30 and above.
From the figure, financial issues were the highest for not wanting to get married at 56 per cent, 18.5 per cent of them could not find suitable spouse partners, and 9.4 per cent decided not to marry due to career.
"I understand that polygamy is a sensitive topic, as if one has committed a crime, but the ministry must be rational about the issue," he said.
He added that men must be given moral support (for polygamy).
"Imagine millions of women are unmarried. It (polygamy) is not an ultimate solution, but this can be a way out to resolve the problem of women marrying late," he said when contacted today.
He was debating 2024 Supply Bill (2024 Budget) committee level for Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry.
Later on during the winding up speech of minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Yeo Bee Yin (Puchong-PH) raised a point of order claiming that Tuan Ibrahim made a sexist remark against women who decided not to get married.
"Why is that a woman who are not married are considered a problem? Why if a woman married late also a problem?
The same was not true for men, she said.
"Women who are not married are not a problem that needs addressing.
She added that his words were impolite and hurt the wives out there.
"I think he need to retract his statement.
"Do not bully women..," she said.
Tuan Ibrahim stood by his words and refused to retract.
He said that the issue discussed there was related to fertility whereby he is concerned if the pattern of unmarried women extends further.
He said that if more decided not to get married, it will leave an impact to the economic development.
"This is not sexist but I am asking for plans by the ministry to overcome it," he added.
