Not conspiring but a responsibility

SHAH ALAM – Family Psychology and Syarie Legal Consultant Suzana Ghazali rejected certain parties views that a father or his representative acting as wali (guardians) for the future second wife in marriage abroad as conspirators for the union.

She said the father’s action of following his daughter to be married off abroad showed that the father was a responsible person.

"To be called as conspiring? I would disagree. Why? As a father, his actions to follow (agree) to his daughter’s decision for marriage, although outside the country, shows that he is a responsible father,” she said.

Suzana stressed that if a father refused to follow his child’s wishes, it is feared that anything untoward could happen afterwards it would become a burden to him.

"Take for example, if he did not come along, who knows where she will go and what her husband will do to her, (it is feared) that later she will return and becomes a burden. However, as a responsible father or whoever that follows, it is to take care of the bride’s wellbeing.

"According to Sharia law (marriage) has taken place,” she explained referring to the recent case of local film director Syamsul Yusof secret nuptials to actress Ira Kazar which took place in Thailand,