Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department 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 but a man too must be loyal to his wife.

NONE"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."

Mashitah (left in photo) told this to reporters after the opening of the state-level Women's Symposium by the Raja Perempuan of Perlis, Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid in Kangar today.

The symposium was organised by the state government in conjunction with the 68th birthday celebration of the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail.

Besides Mashitah, also on the panel was Md Izuddin Ali from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

Mashitah regretted that some men not only cajoled their wife 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.

She said this should not be allowed to happen as the wife would continue to suffer, whereas what is important is ensuring a bright future for the family and that "marriage is not just about satisfying a husband's sexual desire".

- Bernama