Timeline of changes in polygyny law — Malaysia, ASEAN & the Middle East

1How to read this timeline

This page does not carry new information. Each entry is taken from a country page or theme page on this site, together with the sources cited there. Status checked as of October 2026.

• In force means the law already applies. Passed means approved by the legislature, but it may not yet have come into force.
• Entries marked (to be verified) could not yet be checked against the official text. Do not rely on them for legal decisions.
• Court rulings and UN recommendations are also included.

2Summary table: latest first

This table covers Malaysia, ASEAN, the Middle East, and relevant parts of South Asia and Central Asia. Further details are in the sections by year below.

32026: Indonesia's KUHP in force, South Asia moves

• Indonesia, 2 Jan 2026. The national KUHP (UU No. 1 Tahun 2023) came into force three years after promulgation (Pasal 624). Pasal 402 paragraph (1): marrying despite knowing of an existing marriage that is a lawful impediment carries imprisonment of up to 4 years 6 months or a category IV fine. Paragraph (2): if the existing marriage is concealed, imprisonment of up to 6 years. The Chair of Commission III of the DPR (12 Jan 2026) explained that the KUHP does not prohibit polygyny or unregistered marriage (nikah siri) as such; the scope of "lawful impediment" is still debated. See Indonesia.
• Sri Lanka, Jan–May 2026. A private member's bill by MP Faiszer Musthapha was tabled on 5 January 2026, and the Ministry of Justice opened a public consultation. As of May 2026, the MMDA amendment had not been passed (to be verified). See Sri Lanka.
• Pakistan, Jan 2026. In Naila Javed, the Supreme Court ruled that a second marriage without the wife's consent or the Council's permission opens the way to criminal and civil action.
• India, Mar–Jul 2026. Gujarat (March), Assam (27 May) and Madhya Pradesh (July) passed state uniform civil codes prohibiting polygyny. Assent and commencement dates (to be verified). See India.

42025: Kelantan, the UAE and Uttarakhand

• Malaysia — Kelantan, 11 Nov 2025. The State Legislative Assembly (DUN) passed the Islamic Family Bill 2025 (178 clauses in 11 parts) to replace the Islamic Family Enactment 2002. It introduces restorative punishment in the form of community service in place of a fine or imprisonment for certain offences, including polygyny without court permission. Section numbers and commencement date (to be verified) (Sinar Harian, 11 Nov 2025).
• UAE, 15 Apr 2025. Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 came into force. Its provisions include: age 18 (article 19); a breached condition of the contract gives the right to apply for dissolution (article 33); talaq is documented within 15 days (article 58). No provision on notifying an existing wife was found (to be verified). See Gulf & Iran.
• India — Uttarakhand, 27 Jan 2025. The UCC came into force after the Rules 2025 were notified: polygyny is prohibited and registration is compulsory; Scheduled Tribes are exempt. Assam also passed the Prohibition of Polygamy Bill 2025 on 27 Nov 2025, with assent (to be verified).
• Indonesia — Jakarta, 6 Jan 2025. Pergub DKI No. 2 Tahun 2025 replaces Kepgub 2799/2004. Pasal 5 requires a valid reason, the wife's written consent, sufficient income and court permission (detikNews). Governor Pramono Anung (Feb 2025) stated that he would not grant polygyny permission to civil servants (ASN) during his administration.
• Thailand, Jan 2025. The CCC Amendment (No. 24) B.E. 2567 came into force 120 days after being gazetted on 24 Sep 2024: the minimum marriage age rose from 17 to 18 years. The Act 1946 in Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala and Satun is unaffected (s.66). See Thailand.

52024: Selangor, Singapore and the Philippines

• Malaysia — Selangor, 10 Jul 2024. The State Executive Councillor for Islamic Affairs announced that JAIS is studying amendments to the Enactment 2003 to add offences for individuals or agents who promote unlawful marriages, and to increase penalties, including for abetment. The draft was planned for the State Assembly sitting in 2026; tabling status (to be verified). See Polygyny in Malaysia.
• Malaysia–Thailand, 1 Dec 2024. Tightening of illegal routes on the Kelantan–Narathiwat border. This is enforcement, not a change in the law (FMT, 15 Jan 2025).
• Singapore, 6 Jun 2024. The CEDAW Concluding Observations (CEDAW/C/SGP/CO/6, paragraph 59–60) recommended that Singapore expressly prohibit polygyny and protect the economic rights of women in existing polygynous marriages. The government did not propose a ban (CEDAW/C/SGP/RQ/6). See Singapore.
• Philippines, 12 Aug 2024. RA 12018 adds Shariah districts and courts. No amendment to Art. 27 or 162 of PD 1083 had been found as of Oct 2026. See Philippines.

62017–2023: foundations that still apply

• Saudi Arabia, 2022. The Personal Status Law was passed by Royal Decree M/73 (8 Mar 2022) and came into force on 18 Jun 2022, the country's first written family law. See Saudi Arabia.
• Philippines, 10 Dec 2021. RA 11596 prohibits marriage under the age of 18, including under religion, and repeals Art. 16 of PD 1083 to the extent that it conflicts.
• Middle East, 2019. Jordan enacted Law 15/2019 replacing the temporary law of 36/2010, without changing its model of means-testing and notifying the wife. Syria amended article 17 through Law 4/2019.
• Maldives, 29 Jul 2019. Supreme Court Circular 2019/03/SC requires courts to check the actual maintenance paid to the existing wife and children, and to take the first wife's statement. See Maldives.
• Malaysia — Terengganu, 1 Jul 2017. The Enactment 2017 replaced the Enactment 1985; the offence of polygyny without permission is now under s.126.
• Central Asia. Uzbekistan (Oct 2023) and Kyrgyzstan (2025): see the table and Central Asia.

7Not yet final

The items below are reported on the country pages but their status could not yet be verified against official sources. Check again before quoting them.

8What it means for Malaysians

• The basic rule has not changed. A man who is still married must first obtain the written permission of the Syariah Court, and this rule applies even if the contract takes place abroad (Act 303 s.23 and the equivalent state enactments).
• Indonesia is now stricter. Since 2 Jan 2026, concealing an existing marriage in order to marry again can be an offence under KUHP Pasal 402 paragraph (2), in addition to the marriage having no legal force (KHI Pasal 56).
• Thailand is not a shortcut. Marrying in southern Thailand does not remove the offence of polygyny without permission in Malaysia, and illegal border routes are now tightly controlled.
• Working in the Gulf. In the UAE, written conditions in the marriage contract can be enforced through an application for dissolution (article 33).
• For details on each country, see Polygyny around the world and Cross-border marriage.

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