Malaysian Deputy Minister: Wives should not be treated merely as sexual objects

KANGAR: Deputy Minister in the PM Department Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim has hit out at husbands who treat their wives merely as objects for sexual gratification without thinking of the importance of a good family life.

She said marriage was encouraged in Islam for couples to build a strong bond and a happy family, with both husband and wife shouldering the responsibilities.

"A man's wife is not his courtesan, and loyalty in a marriage should not only be incumbent on the wife. A man must also be loyal to his wife.

"Therefore, there must not be husbands who try to cloud their wives' (religious) understanding by telling their wives that their sacrifice by allowing their husbands to take another wife will ensure their place in heaven."

She added that she regretted that some men not only cajoled their wives into allowing them to be polygamous with the assurance of going to heaven, but also forced them to go and ask for the other woman's hand in marriage on their behalf.