Child marriage, and the lax laws that surround it, continue to be a hot topic in Malaysia, after the case of an 11-year-old girl “marrying” a 41-year-old man in Kelantan hit international headlines.
Now the man’s two other wives, who are of adult age, have spoken out in condemnation of the union between their shared husband and his would-be child bride, Ayu.
Speaking to The New York Times, Che Abdul Karim Che Abdul Hamid’s second wife reiterated that both she and his first wife disagree strongly with the union, and stated their feelings to Che Abdul.
“It’s us, or that girl – you cannot have all three of us,” she said.
Worth noting: It was his second wife’s social media post sarcastically congratulating the union that brought the issue to public attention.
Adding that her husband scarcely had the means to support her, and their four children – one of whom has spina bifida, she worked as a baker to make up for lack of funds at home to pay bill.
“He is so stingy with us, but he has enough money to get married to Ayu and take her on holiday,” she told reporters. The trip is a reference to a hill retreat that he took the 11-year-old to, and chronicled on social media.
Only Ayu is allowed to ride in Che Abdul’s flashy Mazda sports car, while the other wives are not extended such luxuries.
In Islam, a man is allowed to have up to four wives, provided that he has means to support each of them equally, and that all parties agree to the union.
Che Abdul holds a prominent position in the village community, taking on a religious role at their local mosque. He is seen as comparatively well-off when compared to Ayu’s family, who live in a wooden stilt house lacking in both electricity and running water; he lives in a modern home.
Ayu befriended Che Abdul’s other children when she accompanied her mother to her job at a restaurant and mini-market owned by the first wife. Not enrolled in school, it was there that she and Che Abdul claim that they fell in love. Speaking to reporters via text message, she sent them heart emojis to express her feelings for the middle-aged man.
Reports have emerged that the child was taken to a local doctor for a “virginity test,” but was seen later that same day reunited with her “husband.”
Earlier this month, courts imposed a RM1,800 (US$ 440) fine on Che Abdul for marrying without permission. He was not given any kind of prison sentence, nor charged with the grooming of a child – something that has been criminalized in Malaysia.
Attempting to rationalize the widespread disgust over the union, the middle aged man said he would wait until the child is 16 to “touch” her.
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