Cross-border marriages common occurrence, experts say

PUTRAJAYA – The presence of many Pakistani men running businesses in Malaysia, particularly in Kelantan, has been one of the main factors attracting local women to them.

However, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Family, Women, and Children’s Law Professor Datuk Noor Aziah Mohd Awal, clarified that this should not be a cause for concern, as cross-border marriages were a common occurrence.

"Marriage is determined by Allah SWT, as stated in verse 17 of Surah Al-Hujuraat," she said.

Aziah said there were many ways people could meet their partners, whether through travel or online connections.

"Perhaps now, the number of Pakistani nationals in Malaysia has increased and many of them are involved in business. Naturally, this attracts the attention of local women," she said.

She was commenting on a Kelantan Immigration Department report, which highlighted that Kelantanese women increasingly chose Pakistani men as spouses, while local men prefer Thai women.

This trend was s reflected in the rising number of Long-Term Social Visit Pass applications for foreign spouses from Pakistan and Thailand each year.

Aziah added the public should not be suspicious of marriages between individuals from different nationalities.

"In reality, foreign men do not receive many privileges when they marry local women.

"They face employment restrictions for the first two years of marriage, and even when doing business, they must operate under their wife’s name," she said.

She added that if there was any misuse of marriage certificates for specific purposes, wives could report the matter to the police and the Syariah court.