Taib's former daughter-in-law reveals marital abuse

Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud’s former daughter-in-law today testified about the 'physical, emotional and mental abuse' that she had experienced over 19 years of marriage to his son.

Shahnaz A Majid, 50, at times shed tears and sounded despondent as she told the Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court of her ordeal.

She further claimed that Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib (left in photo) had failed in his responsibility as a husband, head of the family and father to their son.

Recounting various incidents of domestic violence, she alleged that, once in 1994, Mahmud Abu Bekir realised he had forgotten his keys when he arrived home. At the time, she was in the bathroom.

"He knocked hard on the door as if trying to bring it down. I rushed out of the bathroom,” she related.

"When I opened the door, he came darting in and punched me on the face and shoulder. He also kicked me in the stomach," she said.

However, Shahnaz said she did not file a police report.

Justice Mohd Abdul Karim Abdul Wahab had earlier cautioned Shahnaz's lawyers as to the purpose of bringing such evidence into proceedings involving her RM100 million claim to mutaah (gift) following her divorce. 

His lawyers, Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar and Saadiah Din, had questioned the validity of such questions as their client “could afford” payment and Shahnaz was only required to show proof to back her claim.

However, lawyer Rafie Mohd Shafie, who is acting for Shahnaz, argued that this is to show valid reasons for the divorce.

“This is already pleaded in her statement of claim and what is needed is to supplement this ... through her testimony,” he said.

The Syariah Court of Appeal had ordered a re-trial after it ruled that the matter had not been concluded according to procedure the first time around. It also ordered key documents on Mahmud Abu Bekir's financial standing to be produced.

Incidents of alleged abuse

Shahnaz told the court that, in 1995, she had a minor disagreement with her husband, and that he became angry and pulled her by her head to the bathroom where he turned the water on her.

“He ... hit me on my shoulders. I shouted but later decided to keep quiet,” she said, without being able to recall exactly when this happened.

However, she related the incident to her sister-in-law Hanifah Taib, who had tried to comfort her and advised her to be patient.

Shahnaz (right) admitted that she had neither lodged a police report nor sought medical treatment for her bruises, but said she had been “truly traumatised”.

In 1996, Mahmud Abu Bekir hit her on the head and shoulders after they disagreed during a discussion, she said. This caused her to fall face down on the carpeted floor.

At the end of 1996, another discussion became heated, again leading to violence against her, she claimed.

“He hit me on the head, my hand and shoulder. He punched me, resulting in my arm being bruised. My head hurt (from blows to it). That incident left me with a bruised eye which lasted for two weeks ... I had difficulty reading and watching television,” she said. 

“I could not tell anyone about the abuse because his family is influential and his father (left)is the Sarawak chief minister. I only spoke to Hanifah, and told my husband to stop (beating me). I hoped things would change, but it did not stop.”

Shahnaz said she had remained patient and kept things to herself, out of respect for her husband and his family.

“I did not want to embarrass my husband and put his family to shame. His father is the chief minister ... I resorted to prayers and looking after our son.”

Shahnaz also revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage in 1997 when five months pregnant, and blamed this on the strained marital relationship, although Mahmud Abu Bekir blamed her for it.

On one occasion in 1998, she alleged that he had choked her until she had difficulty breathing.

Shahnaz also alleged Mahmud Abu Bekir was verbally abusive and vulgar, calling her “crazy” and asking why she did not commit suicide.

“He brought an Australian lady to his sister's wedding in 2000 in front of state dignitaries and my family. This incident lowered my esteem and standing as it happened in front of the whole of Kuching,” she claimed.

“During this time, from 1999 to 2000, my husband seldom come home. After he brought the Australian lady - I did not know their actual relationship then - he told me to vacate our matrimonial home as he feared that there would not be ample closet space for her.”

A week or two later, she left for Kuala Lumpur and stayed at her father-in-law's house, she added.

During the previous hearing, Shahnaz had claimed that her husband had been unfaithful to her.