KUCHING, Dec 28 — Tongues are wagging over Sarawak federal minister Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun’s recent marriage to a woman 34 years his junior, after photos of their wedding were posted on social media.

A number of Sarawakians across several social media platforms were generally supportive and congratulated the 61-year-old minister in the Prime Minister’s Department over his marriage last Saturday to 27-year old Jacklyne Anthony, but others found their match incredulous.

“We can only wish them a happy marriage. Maybe, they have their first baby next year,” said Facebook user Michael Moh.Joseph Entulu and Jacklyne Anthony on their wedding day. — Picture courtesy of Facebook/Bit Surang
Joseph Entulu and Jacklyne Anthony on their wedding day. — Picture courtesy of Facebook/Bit Surang

Loti Kong said the age gap is no barrier to a happy married life while Eldric Wong remarked that Entulu is still strong in performing his duties as a husband.

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Tiffany Myra remarked that Entulu is old enough to be Jacklyne’s “apai” (father) while Mark Kadir reckoned that the minister’s new mother-in-law could be far younger than him.

“She can call him uncle,” Kadir said in jest.

This is Entulu’s third marriage, after his earlier two ended in divorce. According to a close friend of the family who declined to be named, Entulu has two sons and a daughter from his first marriage.

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According to the same friend, Entulu divorced from his second wife earlier this year. His current wife, Jacklyne is understood to work in a kindergarten and this is her first marriage.

The Selangau MP who is also Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) deputy president tied the knot with Jacklyne in a garden ceremony witnessed by family members, relatives and close friends which was followed by a dinner reception at a hotel in Mukah.

Among those present at the wedding dinner were Sarawak Assistant Minister of Native Adat and Penan Affairs Datuk John Sikie, political secretary to Sarawak Chief Minister, Dr Richard Will Uban, political secretary in the Prime Minister’s Department Adriana Chumang Nyambong.

Another notable Sarawak political personality in a May-December marriage is former chief minister-turned-Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, who at 74 years old, married 30-year old Syrian Ragad Waleed Al -Kurdi, in 2010.