<![CDATA[This study aims to analyze the regulations and procedures governing polygamy in Indonesia and Malaysia and to evaluate their effectiveness in providing legal protection for women and children. The study employs a normative legal methodology, incorporating legislative, comparative, and conceptual approaches. Data consisting of legislation, court decisions, and legal literature were analyzed qualitatively using Lawrence M. Friedman’s theory of legal systems—which encompasses legal substance, structure, and culture—as well as the theory of maqāṣid al-sharīa to assess protections for life, lineage, and property. The results of the study indicate that both countries share similarities in the basic regulations, restrictions, licensing procedures, and practices regarding polygamy, but differ in their legal protection mechanisms. Malaysia imposes sanctions for violations of polygamy laws, requires verification of the husband’s financial capacity, and provides a mechanism for legalizing unregistered polygamy to ensure that the rights of wives and children remain protected. In contrast, unregistered polygamy in Indonesia faces difficulties in obtaining legal recognition because it depends on the fulfillment of formal requirements; consequently, protection for women and children remains suboptimal and does not fully reflect the principles of maqāṣid al-sharīa. This study contributes to the integration of the substantive, structural, and cultural dimensions of law as the basis for reforming polygamy regulations in a way that is more focused on protecting the rights of women and children.]]>
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