Magelang – Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has denied that he permits civil servants in his institution to have more than one wife.
He said that he never issued a circulation letter with a series of requirements for employees to be able to practice polygamy. "I am Defense Minister. I talk about weaponry and patriotism, not about polygamy," he said on Wednesday in Magelang.
Ryamizard said polygamy was not allowed among civil servants and military personnel under his supervision. "If anyone breaches this restriction, he should be dismissed," said the former Army chief of staff.
An alleged Defense Ministry circular that allows polygamy spread on social media last week, raising concerns from the public.
Citing articles from the 1974 Marriage Law, the letter allows polygamy under several conditions, including written consent from first wife and statements of ability to provide for all his wives and offspring.
The ministry's spokesman, Brig. Gen. Djundan Eko Bintoro, earlier confirmed that his institution had produced the letter to remind the ministry's civil servants about the requirements they should fulfill should they want to marry again.