Indonesia Government Demands Foreign Men Pay To Marry Local Women

The $55,000 “Security Guarantee”

In a variation to the West’s pre-nuptial agreement, the Indonesian government is now proposing that legislation be passed to protect local Muslim women who marry foreigners.  Such protection will the the form of a 500 million rupiah ($55,000) “security guarantee”.  Local Muslim brides-to-be are upset at such a high amount demanded by the government’s proposal while foreign husbands-to-be are fuming that they have been discriminated, pointing out that many foreign men are being exploited by local women as well.

How The “Security Guarantee” Works

Foreign men wishing to marry local Muslim women are required to deposit 500 million rupiah ($55,000) into a bank account that will constitute the “security guarantee” for the marriage.  If the marriage lasts 10 years, the couple can withdraw the money, which will be considered as “shared property.”  But if the marriage fails and a divorce takes place within 10 years of the marriage, then the wife will be entitled to the money.

The Purpose Of The “Security Guarantee”

This proposal comes from the religious affairs ministry, and the bill for this legislation is expected to be approved by parliament by the end of this year.  But why this bill?  The answer is found in the bill itself.  It says: “The provision… is intended to protect the rights of women and their children if their husbands neglect, fail to provide for, leave Indonesia secretly… divorce or do anything which harms their interests.”

Nasaruddin Umar, an official of the religious affairs ministry said: “Marriage is pure and sacred, it shouldn’t be tainted by lust or personal interests. We want to protect our women.”  But why the need to provide protection?  Apparently there have been instances where foreign men enter into marriages in order to use their local wives’ names to buy property or set up businesses.  Nasaruddin Umar said: “When the women are no longer of use, it’s usually goodbye to them.”   The security guarantee is therefore to ensure that local Muslim women are financially protected against divorce.

The Exclusion

The proposed “security guarantee” applies only to Muslim women getting married to foreigners.  It does not apply to non-Muslim women such as Christians, Buddhists or Hindus who intend to marry foreign men.

Reactions From Couples Getting Married Soon

One immediate reaction came from an unnamed foreign man who is intending to marry a local Muslim girl.  He said: “It’s a clear statement by the government that it owns its people and it sells them on the meat market.” Agreeing, event organizer Roslina, a bride-to-be said: “How ridiculous… the government wants to sell me off. My future husband will pay the amount but that’s not the point. We’ll definitely marry abroad if this becomes law.”

Roslina thinks the bill may frighten foreign men who may call off their wedding plans.  As example, Roslina offered this: “My friend has lost a potential husband. She and her French boyfriend had been dating for four years and were planning to get married. But I heard the wedding has been postponed indefinitely. The man said he’s scared to get married because it’s unfair that he needs to pay.”

Another bride-to-be said: “It looks like the government has no respect for Indonesian women. It’s crazy to penalize only foreign men. Why not charge local men who marry three or four wives but can’t afford it?”

Reaction From Clerics

Amidhan, chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulema said: “I applaud this proposal. We’ve heard many cases of foreigners marrying our women and then deserting them and their kids with nothing.”

Reaction From Politicians

Lawmaker Iskan Qolba Lubis said: “People want to marry because they’re in love so why are we making things difficult for them? It’s also discriminatory. We wouldn’t be happy if other countries did the same to us.”  Iskan Qolba Lubis added: “Or the couples may not register their marriages or skip marriage altogether and co-habit instead. Is that what the government wants?”

Reaction From Women Advocacy Groups

Emmylia Hannig, co-chairwoman of the Association of Indonesian Women in Multinational Marriages (Srikandi) said: “ We clearly reject the proposal. It lowers the dignity of women and not all foreign men have that much money.  If the basis of the law is to protect women, it should apply to both foreign and local men. There are many cases of local men having several wives and ditching them without giving money.”  

Think About It

Why is this security guarantee applicable only to Muslim women intending to marry foreign men?  Why are other Indonesian non-Muslim women excluded?  And why does this security guarantee not extend to local men marry local Muslim women?  Will the implementation of this security guarantee drive couples to simply live in sin instead of entering into a marriage?  Or, as pointed out by some critics, will this simply result in “runaway” brides – local Muslim girls who simply go overseas to get married?