The Star daily quotes Kuantan state police as saying the unidentified 57-year-old man is being investigated for criminal intimidation.

The report says the man allegedly beat his 60-year-old wife and threatened her with a knife and shotgun last week when she told him that the woman he wanted as a second wife was already married.

Police could not immediately be reached on Wednesday to confirm the report.

Muslims, which constitute 60 per cent of the population, are allowed to take up to four wives in Malaysia. Most have one wife. -- AP