Shahnaz's counsel complains of 'hidden hands'

Shahnaz A Majid has complained of "hidden hands" behind the Syariah Court of Appeal’s decision in ordering a re-trial of her claim of “compensatory gift” in her multi-million ringgit divorce dispute with Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, the eldest son of Sarawak chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Lawyer Rafie Mohd Shafie - who represents Shahnaz (centre of photo) - said this as he began the session before newly-appointed judge Mohamad Abdul Karim when the matter had been brought up for case management today.

“There are truly hidden hands in the case as the Syariah Court of Appeal has ordered a re-trial to the case although the case had been going on fine. The upper court acted wrongly in making the decision, and the Syariah Court of Appeal had no business in ordering a re-trial before another judge as the case was (still) ongoing.

“This is improper as this sets the case back when it started 18 months ago. This will result in the case being prolonged further with no signs of an end,” he said.

Justice Mohamad - who replaces the previous judge, Mohamad Abdullah - kept mum as he noted that he had been appointed to oversee the case before him.

On Nov 14, it was reported that the Syariah Court of Appeal allowed Mahmud Abu Bekir's (left in photo) application for a re-trial without any lawyers for Shahnaz being present.

Attempts by Shahnaz's lawyers to apply a review of the controversial Syariah Court of Appeal decision in November before another panel at the Court of Appeal this year, had been unsuccessful.

This comes after the Syariah Court of Appeal had - on April 24 - upheld the decision by the earlier panel, and had also set aside the Syariah High Court ex-parte order for Mahmud Abu Bekir to furnish details of his assets.

Shahnaz is seeking a total of RM400 million in her matrimonial asset dispute and "compensatory gift" in an application filed in March 2011. It is noted that the couple was officially divorced on May 11, 2011 after 19 years of marriage.

[More to follow]