Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has called for Islamic laws on polygyny to be standardised throughout the country.

The move follows a row sparked a decision by Perlis to make it easier for Muslim men to marry a second wife by doing away with the need to have the first wife's approval.

Mahathir on Tuesday ordered all state governments to gazette an already prepared Islamic Family Law as soon as possible to resolve the issue, local media reported.

The Perlis state had said it was simply trying to discourage Malaysians from crossing the border to marry second wives in less restrictive Thailand.

Protest from women's groups

Mahathir said his government would meet with Thai authorities and Muslim leaders in southern Thailand to ensure that only those authorised could perform marriages for couples from Malaysia.

"If the marriage is performed by unauthorised persons, we will not recognise the couple's marriage certificate," he said.

Mahathir said polygyny must be practised according to the requirements of Islam by taking into account factors such as a man's financial means and ability to treat all wives equally.

"This must be resolved by the authorities. And if the authorities responsible find that the person concerned cannot afford (a second wife) and so on, permission cannot be given. This is the stand of all the states, there is no problem," he said.

Islamic family law, which allows men to take up to four wives, applies only to the 60 percent of Malaysians who are Muslims and at present differs from state to state.

Women's groups say the practice is outdated, should be restricted and possibly even banned. AFP