Malaysians Go Cyber for Matchmaking

"Matrimonial websites create avenues for people to meet," Dinesh said.

"We have about 30,000 active members since we created this website in 2002," said Mohd Azrul Alwi, owner and programmer of the Malaysian-based matrimonial website Myjodoh.net.

"We have more than 400 success stories."

Membership for six months is RM50 and RM90 for a year.

The recent years have seen the launch of an increasing number of cyberspace match-making websites that help unwed Malaysians find Mr. or Miss Right.

For many, gone are the days of looking for marriage partners through relatives, parties and social events. This has become just a click away.

"Matrimonial websites create avenues for people to meet," said N. Dinesh, corporate affairs manager of the website masmarriage.

The site, launched four years ago, monitors conversations among members, mostly aged between 20 and 28, and would not reveal users’ profiles without the permission of those concerned.

Dinesh said only genuine candidates are allowed, boasting 3,096 registered members from Chinese, Malay and Indian backgrounds.

The site, which charges RM50 for a three-month membership, has had 152 success stories.

Malaysia, which offers the image of a modern Muslim country, is home to 26 million people.

Malays, mostly Muslims, make up nearly 60 percent of its population.

Ethnic Chinese and Indians - most of them Buddhists, Hindus and Christians - make up about 35 percent. The rest are indigenous people and Eurasians.

World Industry

The trend is increasing popular that some websites started expanding to offer online worldwide matchmaking services.

"The five-year Malaysian visa for foreign spouses will further boost the online matchmaking industry here," said Jayesh Kamdar, chief executive officer of the Kamdar local chain store, partner in the matrimonial website Shaadi.com.

Launched ten years ago, the site has more than 7.5 million members around the world with more than 700,000 success stories to date.

Its International Markets Vice President Vinesh Nair says their services are available around the clock.

"We localize our services to suit varied markets like Australia, Singapore and Malaysia.

"It helps us understand our customers better and customize our service to suit specific requirements."

With free registration, the web offers 20 search criteria including country of residence, religion, lifestyle preferences, education and hobbies.

For clients uncomfortable with using credit cards over the Internet, pre-paid cards can be used for membership, which ranges between RM152 and RM378 depending on the membership period.

Yet, some Malaysians remain wary of the online trend.

"A lot of people who register through online match-making are not genuine," Peggy Lim, executive of the cupid Space project, told The Times.

Peggy affirmed that her project, launched by the Malaysian Chinese association (MCA), tries to help Malaysians to tie the knot, but with risks kept to a minimum.

"We are a conservative club," she said.

"Most singles come to us because our members have to take an oath that they are single before a commissioner for oaths."