Polygamy in Indonesia: why some men are promoting it again, and what a leading women’s rights expert thinks about that
It’s not illegal in Indonesia for a Muslim to have more than one wife, but it’s frowned upon; that hasn’t deterred pro-polygamy activists, whose activities a critic says are a sign of ‘moral panic’ about extramarital sex in the country
When it comes to polygamy and Indonesia, it’s a complicated relationship. Although the practice is legal in the Muslim-majority nation, there are restrictions on having more than one wife and it is widely frowned upon in society.
Previous attempts in the country to promote a polygamous lifestyle – which some Muslim men regard as a sign of virtue – have met fierce opposition. In 2003, for example, protesters gathered to disrupt a “Polygamy Awards” ceremony organised by Puspo Wardoyo, a well-known pro-polygamy activist, to honour men who had taken more than one wife.
The uproar, with protesters waving “Monogamy Yes, Polygamy No” placards, prevented the ceremony from being held again.
Indonesian dating app stirs controversy over polygamy
In 2006, well-known cleric and businessman Abdullah Gymnastiar faced a public outcry after taking a second wife. His once loyal followers boycotted his television shows and businesses. He quickly lost his television contracts, and some of his companies were forced to close.
In the past year, polygamy has become a hot issue in the country again, and support for it has been growing, according to Vicky Irawan Zaeni, founder of Dauroh Poligami Indonesia (DPI), a Jakarta-based pro-polygamy group established in April 2017 that has been organising monthly “polygamy seminars” in cities across the country.
Zaeni, 31, who promotes his seminars with the phrase “quick ways to have four wives”, is determined to change the way polygamous marriage is perceived.
