Religious court judge sacked for polygamy

The Supreme Court on Monday fired a religious court judge after he was found to have three wives.

The Justice Honorary Council ruled that M. Natsir Qamarullah, from Pare-Pare, South Sulawesi, had conducted “improper acts” and therefore breached the code of ethics for judges.

“He has been dishonorably dismissed,” council head Imron Anwari said as quoted by Antara.

Natsir said he had three wives, but had only registered his marriage to his second wife.

A 1999 law on civil servants bans government officials from having more than one wife.

“I accept the ruling, but what I did is allowed by my religion,” Natsir said, adding that he was thinking of retiring.

“I was dismissed from my position as a judge, not a civil servant.”