KUALA TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA: If at first you don't succeed, try and try again.

This best describes the efforts of Mohamed Nor Awang, 51, who was yesterday granted permission by the Syariah High Court here to take a fourth wife, Suzi Sulong, 34.

Mohamed Nor had appeared three times before the court to appeal his case. Judge Sheikh Ahmad Ismail Hakim eventually gave in to his request, citing his perseverance as one of the reasons.

Before passing judgment, Sheikh Ahmad asked if he had the means to support a fourth wife to which the odd-job worker, who earned more than RM3,000 a month, said he could support four wives and be fair to all of them.

The other wives are Wan Rukiah Mat Yusoff, 52, Kalthum Dolaj, 39, and Noraini Daud, 40, who have borne him 18 children.

Sheikh Ahmad said he was at first reluctant about granting Mohamed Nor permission to take a fourth wife, but for his perseverance and the testimony of his three wives as well as his wife-to-be.

"Your wives say it is all right," he said.

"They also promised to help each other out, which shows there is cooperation among them.

"To tell you the truth, before today's proceeding, I spoke to your future wife and her father and urged them to look for another groom as I felt three wives were enough for you.

"But she told me there was no one else for her but you."

Sheikh Ahmad added that he also took into consideration Mohamed Nor's testimony that he would be depressed if the application was denied to the extent that his work would be affected.

Earlier, two witnesses said that Mohamed Nor had the means to support a fourth wife.

Outside the court, Mohamed Nor said he was grateful and relieved that the proceedings were over.

He added that he wanted to get married before Ramadan in September.