Kota Baru (Malaysia), Oct. 29 In a bid to address the problem of single mothers, the Women, Family and Health Committee chairman of

Malaysia's Kelantan state has suggested that those assemblymen who marry single mothers should be awarded.

Wan Ubaidah Omar's suggestion drew support from backbenchers, who started thumping their palms on the table.

She said assemblymen could increase their "quota" to help single mothers who had young children to care for.

"What I meant by 'quota' is adding the number of wives," The Star quoted Omar, as saying.

Referring to records, she said there were 16,500 registered single mothers below 60 in Kelantan.

She said one of the dilemmas facing single mothers in Malaysia was that many of them could not register with the Welfare Department or related agencies because their husbands had left them without filing any divorce.

The state government spends 2 million ringgits annually for the welfare of single mothers who have no other source of income, she dded. (ANI)