Taib summoned to testify at Syariah High Court

Long-time Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud has been subpoenaed to testify as a witness in the matrimonial asset dispute between his second son, Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, and his divorced wife, Shahnaz A Majid.

Court documents obtained by Malaysiakini reveal that Taib, 72, was called to testify as a witness for Shahnaz in the continuation of the hearing at the Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court beginning Monday.

The subpoena dated Dec 22 and sent via AR registered mail by the Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court, was addressed to the chief minister’s official residence in Demak Jaya, Jalan Bako, Petra Jaya, Kuching.

Bekir, who is deputy group chairman of Cahaya Mata Sarawak, was married to Shahnaz, the sister of jazz queen Sheila Majid, on Jan 9, 1992. They have a son aged 17.

Shahnaz has sought RM300 million worth of assets, which she claims the couple had gained together in their 19 years’ of marriage, along with RM100 million in compensation in her mutaah (matrimonial assets) application.

The couple were officially divorced on May 11, when Bekir (right) announced thetalak satu (declaration of divorce) before a Syariah High Court judge.

Living separately for 12 years
However, they have been living separately for the last 12 years. Following the divorce, Shahnaz was given custody of their son, and Bekir given visitation rights.

Shahnaz in her mutaahclaimed that she and her former husband jointly own residential properties in various locations, thousands of hectares of land in Sarawak, and also land in Bukit Tunku in Kuala Lumpur.

The couple also own seven luxury cars that include Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley and Maserati marques.

Their joint assets include shares in 15 companies, including Cahaya Mata Sarawak and Sarawak Cable Bhd.

The couple also possess assets in the form of savings, contributions to the Employees Provident Fund, and Amanah Saham Bumiputera units.

Shahnaz (left) stated in her application that a detailed information of the assets will be presented during the hearing. She also wants her ex-husband to submit the original land titles to the court or to her representatives.

Otherwise, she wants all the assets to be sold and be given half of the sale value.