NEW MAN in her life or not, Zahida & Shafie back in the news after driver files suit

KUALA LUMPUR - SULTRY actress Zahida Rafik, accused of being the mistress of Rural & Regional Development minister Shafie Apdal, may be forgiven for thinking she had put those rumors behind her when she recently announced she would be marrying a businessman soon.

“He is single, and we plan to tie the knot next year,” she had declared a tad triumphantly to Malay tabloid Kosmo!

Be that as it may, she will be most disappointed to learn of the latest news that her former driver Noor Azman Azemi, 39, has filed a defamation suit against her for allegedly saying in a newspaper report that he had made off with RM200,000 of her hard-earned money.

During the defamation trial, Noor Azman - who was among those who had revealed details of her alleged trysts with Shafie at hotels around the city - can be expected to once again relate the information to the court.

In fact, Noor Azman had previously alleged that he was often tasked to bank in cash from Shafie into her account.

It must be noted that both Zahida and Shafie have vigorously denied having an affair.

Don't mean to brag but ...

Nonetheless, the defamation case is bound to create a sensation especially in the Malay press, plus fresh controversy for Zahida, her husband-to-be and the already-married Shafie.

Already the gossip around town is that Zahida's sudden introduction of a new man in her life was to dispel public belief in her alleged affair with Shafie.

In the Kosmo interview, Zahida had elaborated on the "love of her life", revealing that he hailed from Johor. She also described him as “just an ordinary man” whom she had known for 8 years.

On her luxurious lifestyle, she stressed that she had worked hard not only as an actress but as a businesswoman involved in beauty products and foodstuff.

“I don’t mean to brag when I post things on Instagram, but I do love fashion and branded goods. What I have is rezeki (gift). I do not have any intention of showing off,” she said.

At the height of the speculation about her alleged affair with Shafie, the minister was accused of lavishing millions of ringgit on her and even an expensive bungalow was rumored to be a gift from him.

Injunction

Meanwhile, Noor Azman, who was Zahida’s driver for five years, filed his suit against Zahida today through the legal firm of Messrs Daim & Gamany at the Civil High Court in Kuala Lumpur.

In the statement of claim, Noor Azman stated that Zahida had uttered the defamatory words, which were then published by the Harian Metro newspaper with the title ‘Zahida Rafik Terkedu’, on March 3 last year.

He also claimed that on March 5 last year, Zahida once again issued a false statement by making an announcement that he had fled with the money and offering the public a reward of RM5,000 for tracing his whereabouts.

As a result, Noor Azman claimed that he was unable to get other jobs and was remanded for four days when detained by the police. He is seeking general and exemplary damages, as well as an injunction to prevent Zahida from further uttering the alleged defamatory words and costs. - Malaysia Chronicle