My husband married in Thailand without my knowledge — what are my rights as the first wife?

A marriage in Thailand causes the existing wife to lose her right to be heard by the court before polygyny and the right to claim division of jointly acquired matrimonial property (harta sepencarian) at the time of polygyny — but Malaysian law still protects you. A man who marries without permission must immediately pay all mahr and gifts owed to the existing wife (s.23(8)), and the husband can be prosecuted (Act 303 s.123; Selangor s.124). A wife who is not treated justly may apply for judicial dissolution (fasakh), for example Selangor 2003 s.53(1)(h)(vi), and failure to do justice is also an offence (Selangor and Kedah s.129). Consult the Syariah Court or your state religious affairs office. See polygyny in Malaysia.