Is the ethnic Chinese population in Malaysia really dwindling that badly? Well, the chairman of the Muar Toh Guan club certainly thinks so!
Just a few days ago during the Chinese New Year celebrations, the chairman, Yu Ren He gave an alternative suggestion to the government to increase the population. Based on a report by China Press, he made a speech during a gathering and proposed that Malaysian Chinese men should be allowed to practise polygamy. Seriously?
Yu said that he hopes the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) would suggest this to the government for implementation. He said this as he felt that the Chinese population is in dire need of help as the numbers are getting smaller. That terrible, meh?
He added, “The birth rate of the Chinese population in Malaysia is decreasing year after year and shows no signs of slowing down. Currently, we only make up about 20 per cent of the total population. This is worrying as it will have great impact on the politics, economy, culture and education of the country.”
In another bid to increase the population, Yu also urged Chinese couples to get married early while they are young so that they can have more babies. Bro, it isn’t cheap to raise a child! His little speech was delivered in a joking tone, which drew applause and laughter from the audience.
Yu’s speech encouraging polygamy among the Chinese in Malaysia was met with disapproval as outraged netizens were strongly against this proposal.
Most of them said, “Have you thought properly about the implications of this suggestion? Is the husband able to provide for so many wives and children?”
Others said, “If you want to make it fair, then they should agree that one woman can have many husbands as well.” A few jokers even said that perhaps those who agreed with his proposal just wanted an excuse to legally marry their mistress!
What do you think about this suggestion? Yay or nay?
Also read: “Continue Giving Birth, Because We Need a Bigger Population,” PM Najib Tells M’sians