Man cross-dresses in niqab to marry his dream groom

MALUKU – A man from North Maluku went to extraordinary lengths to marry the man he loved, disguising himself in a niqab and posing as a woman for over a year.

The suspect, known as “Wati” but whose real name is Putra Alfa Juliono Lifu, 21, from Mangoli district, had been in an online relationship with Alias Arbaim, 21, since 2023.

Their romance briefly ended before rekindling in 2024, leading to marriage plans.

Sula Police spokesperson IPDA Rizal Polpoke said the ruse collapsed during the couple’s marriage registration at the Population and Civil Registration Office.

“Alias had no idea his partner was a man because Wati always wore a niqab. The victim admitted this during questioning at East Mangoli Police Station,” Rizal told reporters on Wednesday.

On July 12, Wati travelled from Bobong Village to Falabisahaya Village before reaching the Sula Islands the next day, where Alias picked him up.

The pair then headed to Pencoran-Kum Hamlet, North East Mangoli District, to prepare for the wedding.

“What’s strange is that, during four days together, Alias still didn’t realise Wati’s real identity because the suspect never removed the niqab,” Rizal said.

The truth emerged when marriage documents revealed Wati’s identity card stating he was male and not a Muslim, despite always wearing the niqab.

Shocked, Alias’s family lodged a police report.

A man from North Maluku went to extraordinary lengths to marry the man he loved, disguising himself in a niqab and posing as a woman for over a year.

Wati is now in custody at East Mangoli Police Station pending investigation.