Preliminary Analysis of the Factors Increasing Cross-Border Marriage Cases Among the Muslim Community in Malaysia

A cross-border marriage is any type of marriage that takes place outside of the country by utilizing the services of a matchmaker in that country. However, the number of cross-border marriages has recently increased significantly. It is impossible to prevent this problem from occurring in the future. This is because those who want to marry across borders will do so for a variety of reasons. If the cross-border marriage is not registered upon return to Malaysia, it has a variety of consequences for the wife, children, and even family members. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the concept of cross-border marriage, including its definition and some factors that encourage couples to marry in this manner. This study used a qualitative approach to obtain concrete data by conducting semi-structured interviews with stakeholders who manage marriage governance for Muslims in Malaysia. The findings show, cross-border marriage is any type of marriage made abroad or through a specific syndicate, and there are several main factors that encourage couples to marry cross-border. The desire for polygamy, did not get family permission, reluctance of the couple to follow the marriage procedure, lack of exposure to the marriage procedure in Malaysia, couples who have been together, and the easy way to get married are among the main factors of cross-border marriages. We hope that this study will provide appropriate exposure to Malaysia's Muslim community about this issue and that all parties will play an important role in addressing this issue so that such cases can be reduced.