Indonesia’s Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform has banned female Public Servants from practicing polyandry — taking more than one husband.
The Minister, Tjahjo Kumolo, said the practise had become a “new trend” which was contrary both to the law of the land and all the major religions practiced in the country.
Acting Head of the Public Relations Bureau at the Ministry, Paryono said Article Three of the Country’s Marriage Law specifically stated that men and women could have only one spouse.
“However, the Article allows men to have more than one wife if they receive permission from a court; it is nowhere regulated for a wife to have another husband, which is also not allowed by any of our religions,” Mr Paryono said.
“Polyandry is clearly not in accordance with religious law and beliefs and marriages under such an arrangement can definitely not be registered,” he said.
Previously, Mr Kumolo said polyandry had become a new trend among Public Servants.
“I have encountered at least five reports of polyandry over the past year,” Mr Kumolo said.
Mr Paryono said Public Servants who engaged in polyandry could be summoned, examined and punished “with a severe degree of discipline”.
Asked what this meant he said “severe punishments” could include demotion, transfer to an inferior post, or dismissal.
Jakarta, 3 August 2020
