Indonesian MP says his three wives are proof polygamy can be ‘good and harmonious’
- Achmad Fadil Muzakki Syah, who told reporters he and his wives ‘regularly sleep together in one bed’, aims to showcase his family as an example of polygamy done right
- The act has been slammed as ‘disgusting’ by activists, who say polygamy hurts women and children
When Indonesian politician Achmad Fadil Muzakki Syah was sworn in as a lawmaker in the new parliament last Tuesday, he created a buzz when he showed up at the ceremony with his three wives in what was believed to be a first for a public figure.
Pictures of Achmad giving the thumbs up, surrounded by his three smiling spouses, went viral in an event which he hoped would showcase his family as an “example” of how to carry out “good and harmonious polygamy”.
“It is my intention to bring the press attention to my family to be an example to show that polygamy can be good and harmonious … there is no need for secretive acts, nikah siri, or to have affairs,” Achmad, who is also known as Lora Fadil, was quoted as saying by the Liputan6.com news portal.
Nikah siri is a marriage that follows religious norms but is not recognised by the state.
Achmad, 39, an MP from the National Democratic Party (Nasdem), married his first wife 22 years ago, and has had two more marriages in the past eight years. He has seven children.