The former daughter-in-law of the Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud told the Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court today of the humiliation she suffered over her husband's extra-marital affairs and claimed that no permission was sought when he married another woman.
In Malaysia, it is a requirement for the husband to seek permission from the first wife when he wants to marry another woman.
Shahnaz A Majid (right), who had on Monday related in court the physical abuse that she suffered, today told of how she had to endure the emotional abuse of being humiliated at a public function when her then husband Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib brought another woman, who was not his wife.
She also had related her husband’s actions in calling her improper names.
“This happened sometime in 2000 during my younger sister-in-law’s (Hanifah Hajar Taib) marriage where there were local and international dignitaries present. My husband had brought with him an Australian woman in front of all the guests and ignored me, when I was the lawful wife.
“I was shocked and felt that I lost my dignity and as if I did not exist.
“My family from the peninsula was also present to witness the marriage. Former education minister (the late) Sulaiman Daud who was also present approached me to say that my husband's action was improper,” she testified.
The 49-year-old said that the incident left her desolated and she suffered public humiliation as the state function lasted three days.
She said even Taib and Hanifah Hajar disapproved and were angry with her husband (left) that day.
Shahnaz was replying questions from her counsel Akbardin Abdul Kader.
She is seeking RM300 million in compensation in joint matrimonial assets and another RM100 million in mutaah (gifts) from her former husband in a long protracted legal battle.
In Malaysia, it is a requirement for the husband to seek permission from the first wife when he wants to marry another woman.
Shahnaz A Majid (right), who had on Monday related in court the physical abuse that she suffered, today told of how she had to endure the emotional abuse of being humiliated at a public function when her then husband Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib brought another woman, who was not his wife.She also had related her husband’s actions in calling her improper names.
“This happened sometime in 2000 during my younger sister-in-law’s (Hanifah Hajar Taib) marriage where there were local and international dignitaries present. My husband had brought with him an Australian woman in front of all the guests and ignored me, when I was the lawful wife.
“I was shocked and felt that I lost my dignity and as if I did not exist.
“My family from the peninsula was also present to witness the marriage. Former education minister (the late) Sulaiman Daud who was also present approached me to say that my husband's action was improper,” she testified.
The 49-year-old said that the incident left her desolated and she suffered public humiliation as the state function lasted three days.She said even Taib and Hanifah Hajar disapproved and were angry with her husband (left) that day.
Shahnaz was replying questions from her counsel Akbardin Abdul Kader.
She is seeking RM300 million in compensation in joint matrimonial assets and another RM100 million in mutaah (gifts) from her former husband in a long protracted legal battle.
Son saw father with an 'European woman'
Shahnaz said she knew her former husband has a son with the Australian woman whom she identified as Loiuse Aida Hiley, but said she does not know whether they were married.
However, she thinks that her husband had since separated with that woman.
Two months after Hanifah Hajar’s (right) wedding, she said Mahmud called her and asked her “when are you getting out of the house because there is not enough closet space for her (the Australian lady)”.
The witness said prior to the wedding ceremony she had advised her husband many times to repent his wild ways but he had resorted to abusing her and calling her an “old hag”.
She also related that on one occasion when Mahmud brought their son to Singapore, her son related to her that he saw his father with another European woman.
Following such humiliating experiences, she decided to come back to Kuala Lumpur and initially stayed at her father-in-law's house.
She also related her despair,when Mahmud appeared in a magazineThe Peak in Sept 2010, where he described that he was married to a Russian divorcee, where else at that time he had yet to divorce Shahnaz.
“He did not seek my permission to marry another. I do not know how they married. All I know is that my husband has two children with the Russian wife, who also has two other children of her own from a previous marriage,” she said.
However, she thinks that her husband had since separated with that woman.
Two months after Hanifah Hajar’s (right) wedding, she said Mahmud called her and asked her “when are you getting out of the house because there is not enough closet space for her (the Australian lady)”.The witness said prior to the wedding ceremony she had advised her husband many times to repent his wild ways but he had resorted to abusing her and calling her an “old hag”.
She also related that on one occasion when Mahmud brought their son to Singapore, her son related to her that he saw his father with another European woman.
Following such humiliating experiences, she decided to come back to Kuala Lumpur and initially stayed at her father-in-law's house.
She also related her despair,when Mahmud appeared in a magazineThe Peak in Sept 2010, where he described that he was married to a Russian divorcee, where else at that time he had yet to divorce Shahnaz.
“He did not seek my permission to marry another. I do not know how they married. All I know is that my husband has two children with the Russian wife, who also has two other children of her own from a previous marriage,” she said.
Shahnaz: I knew my responsibility as a wife
The couple were legally divorced in May 11, last year, after Mahmud proclaimed the talak satu (divorce proclamation).
Akbardin then read portions of Mahmud's defence, among, which he denied he was a bad husband and father, where to this Shahnaz replied it was untrue, questioning the number of timeshe had brought their son to perform Friday or Terawih prayers.
She said she had treated Mahmud well despite him not coming back home for weeks and months.
“When he came to see his son, I prepared food and we have meals together. I know my responsibility as a wife as I took religious classes. But throughout the 10 years' when we were leaving apart he only stayed at my place on one night and that was because he was tired.
“I want to preserve my marriage as it is important to me as we have a son together. I look after our son well,” she said, adding they have not been together (having sex) for 10 years.
Shahnaz also denied that her husband had tried to ably compensate her. Her husband's defence, she said, are mere assertions and allegations.
“He should come here under oath to testify like what I am doing,” she said. Mahmud has not been present since the trial started on Monday, as he is with his Russian wife in the United Kingdom.
Shahnaz’s other lawyer Dr Rafie Mohd Shafie wanted to continue with the proceedings late in the afternoon, today, however, Mahmud's counsel Saadiah Din said she had an appeal case in Terengganu and sought an adjournment.
Following this, the hearing will continue on Tuesday before Judge Mohamad Abdullah with Shahnaz expected to provide details of her husband's assets.
Akbardin then read portions of Mahmud's defence, among, which he denied he was a bad husband and father, where to this Shahnaz replied it was untrue, questioning the number of timeshe had brought their son to perform Friday or Terawih prayers.
She said she had treated Mahmud well despite him not coming back home for weeks and months.
“When he came to see his son, I prepared food and we have meals together. I know my responsibility as a wife as I took religious classes. But throughout the 10 years' when we were leaving apart he only stayed at my place on one night and that was because he was tired.
“I want to preserve my marriage as it is important to me as we have a son together. I look after our son well,” she said, adding they have not been together (having sex) for 10 years.
Shahnaz also denied that her husband had tried to ably compensate her. Her husband's defence, she said, are mere assertions and allegations.
“He should come here under oath to testify like what I am doing,” she said. Mahmud has not been present since the trial started on Monday, as he is with his Russian wife in the United Kingdom.Shahnaz’s other lawyer Dr Rafie Mohd Shafie wanted to continue with the proceedings late in the afternoon, today, however, Mahmud's counsel Saadiah Din said she had an appeal case in Terengganu and sought an adjournment.
Following this, the hearing will continue on Tuesday before Judge Mohamad Abdullah with Shahnaz expected to provide details of her husband's assets.
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