Most Malaysian youths 'reject polygamy'

The majority of young Muslims in Malaysia reject polygamy, a survey has found, even though many of their other attitudes are conservative. The landmark survey seen Tuesday found that those interviewed in the Muslim-majority country were generally "optimistic" and "happy" with their lives and prospects. The poll found that in Malaysia, where 60 percent of the country's 28 million population are Muslims, young people prioritised believing in God and becoming better Muslims over becoming rich. Just over 94 percent said living with a family makes one happier than being alone, but polygamy was rejected by 61 percent of all male and by 85 percent of all female respondents. Muslims can take up to four wives in Malaysia. "The survey findings show many contradictory statements, and they are full of ambivalences," the survey said. "While stating that belief in God and becoming a better Muslim are most important in their lives, they rather watch television, listen to music or surf the Internet in their leisure-time than go to a mosque," it said. About 70 percent, slightly more males than females, said they consider it compulsory for women to wear headscarves, and more than 70 percent wanted the Koran to replace the federal constitution. Despite this, some are relaxed about such daily religious practices as praying and reading the Koran, according to the survey. Of those polled, 62.4 percent said they see late Al-Qaeda terror group leader Osama bin Laden as a "freedom fighter," but they denounced violence. The survey interviewed 1,060 people aged between 15 and 25 face-to-face late last year, and a similar poll was also carried out in Indonesia. Malaysia is generally billed as a moderate Muslim country but in recent years has become more conservative. Last year, three Muslim women were caned after an Islamic court found them guilty of having sex out of wedlock.