A mistake to frown upon mixed marriages

Tuesday March 9, 2010 The Star Online




IT is with dismay that I read about the comments “think a thousand times” before entering into a mixed marriage by Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim lately.

It would have been far more appropriate had he said “think a thousand times” before taking the plunge irrespective of whom you wanted to marry rather than narrow the field to inter-racial marriage.

He stated that studies conducted between 1995 and 1998 by “several sociologists in the country had shown that seven out of 10 mixed marriages end in divorce”.

He did not elaborate on the credentials of the so-called “sociologists” and who assigned them to do the research and for what purpose. Neither did he explain why these sociologists did not do a parallel study on same race/religion marriages that ended in divorce. Had a parallel study been done, then one could compare the figures for a fairer and more legitimate comment to be made.

As a minister, he must be aware that divorce cuts across the board and is irrespective of race or religion. In fact, the divorce rates lately in the country were so conspicuous that the Cabinet decided to allocate RM15mil to oversee the immediate needs of divorced Muslim women.

He went on to say that “the failure of marriage is caused by cultural differences, religion and how a person is raised”. I am no sociologist but am of the opinion that although mixed-marriages may be more challenging, it is a misconception to think in our modern time of globalisation that the reasons for the breakdown of mixed-marriages are unique. In fact, when a marriage breaks down, the same reasons generally apply — whether mixed or not.

Perhaps his memory should be refreshed by what Umno stalwart and the then senior Minister, the late Khir Johari, said in reply to a question when I was an MP, on how best to bring Malaysians closer together — inter-marriages!

In the past, people used to argue that children of mixed parentage would face unique problems but this has proven to be a myth. History has shown that many children born to mixed marriages have triumphed beyond compare: genius golfer Tiger Woods, superstar actress Halle Berry and the 44th President of the United States Barrack Obama, to name a few.

Now that the Prime Minister has 1 Malaysia as his battle cry to unite Malaysians, it appears a little incongruous to pour cold water on the prospect of mixed-marriages although we understand that he must have meant well.

DR A. SOORIAN,

Seremban.