A Malaysian man has been fined a buffalo and a pig for not complying with a tribal custom by secretly marrying a second wife. The court called on the 39-year-old man to compensate his wife and children with both animals after agreeing to dissolve the second union.

Kota Kinabalu, Native Court chief William Majimbun, told the AP, "Indigenous custom doesn't normally punish men who marry a second time, but in this case, he did not get the permission of the first wife." He noted that, "The case was handled based on customary laws."

The tribal court system works to restore good ties among neighbors. When there is a dispute, the court meets and takes a decision to reconcile those concerned. After the ruling, a chicken is slaughtered in a bid to introduce feasting in the procedure.

The tribal court has jurisdiction over the native indigenous people in Malaysia's Sabah region. The dissolved marriage was secretly performed in a remote village in 2003. The Native Courts in Sabah's 21 districts operate side by side with the civil and Islamic Sharia courts.