North Maluku man disguises as woman in niqab to marry male partner

A 21-year-old man from North Maluku went to great lengths to fulfil his dream of marrying the man he admired — even disguising himself as a woman and wearing a niqab at all times.

The man, who went by the name Wati but whose real identity is Putra Alfa Juliono Lifu, comes from the Mangoli district. He had been in an online relationship with 21-year-old Alias Arbaim since 2023.

Although the pair briefly lost contact, they rekindled their romance in 2024 and began making plans to tie the knot.

Sula Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Rizal Polpoke, said the truth came to light during the couple’s marriage registration at the Office of Population and Civil Registration.

“Alias was unaware throughout their communication that his partner was in fact a man, as Wati always wore a niqab. The victim himself admitted this during questioning at the East Mangoli Police Station,” Rizal told reporters on Wednesday

Police reports state that on 12 July 2025, Wati travelled from Bobong Village to Falabisahaya Village in North Mangoli, before arriving in the Sula Islands the following day.

Alias personally picked Wati up, and together they headed to Pencoran-Kum Hamlet in the North East Mangoli district to prepare for their wedding.

“What’s peculiar is that, throughout the four days spent there, Alias still did not know Wati’s true identity, as the suspect remained veiled in a niqab at all times,” Rizal added. — Focus Malaysia