A Malaysian MP has claimed women who "refuse" to have sex with their husbands are guilty of “emotional and psychological abuse".

In a parliamentary debate about domestic violence laws, Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh also suggested men with wives who "nag" were also victims.

His remarks provoked anger among women's rights campaigners, who accused him of sexism and trivialising abuse.

Malaysian politicians are in the process of reviewing the country's domestic violence laws, which activists hope will offer better protection to women.

Mr Zulkifly, an MP for the ruling right-wing Barisan Nasional party, said men "suffered emotional rather than physical abuse".

"Even though men are said to be physically stronger than women, there are cases where wives hurt or abuse their husbands in an extreme manner," he told parliament.

"Usually, it involves wives cursing their husbands. This is emotional abuse. They insult their husbands and refuse his sexual needs. All these are types of psychological and emotional abuse."

The politician, 58, also linked the debate to Malaysia’s controversial polygamy laws, which allow Muslim men to marry up to four wives.

“Some want to marry more than one but need to get permission from their wives, who disagree and begin nagging," he said.

Marina Mahathir, a Malaysian political campaigner and women's rights activists, said she was "astounded" by the MP's comments.

"A man does not own a woman’s body when he marries her any more than she owns his," she told Free Malaysia Today.

"To accuse a woman, who is usually the victim of abuse, of abusing her husband by denying him sex is a bit rich. She did not give up her agency or her bodily integrity when she married him."

She added: "With this kind of mindset among our so-called leaders, I fear for our entire country."

Women’s Aid Organisation executive director Sumitra Visvanathan said Mr Zulkifly's remarks appeared to be justifying marital rape.

“We must continue to call out and challenge these sexist perceptions to uphold decency, equality and respect for women’s rights in public discourse,” she said.

A spokesperson for Sisters in Islam said she was appalled by the “chauvinistic” statement.