Sister told me Faisal had been assaulting her for 3 to 4 years, says witness

 

Emilia Hanafi’s sister told the magistrates’ court that Emilia had been reluctant to seek police help because she wanted to protect the family’s reputation. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The magistrates’ court here today was told that businessman SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin had been assaulting his ex-wife Emilia Hanafi for three to four years since 2011.

Emilia’s younger sister, Elisa Nani Hanafi, 38, said the former had shared unpleasant stories of the abuse with her.

On Oct 20, 2015, her sister told her that she was beaten up by Faisal and shared photos via WhatsApp of the abuse.

“She told me that it had been going on for three to four years (since 2011).

“She did not tell anyone else. She also did not want anyone else to know and had asked me to keep it confidential,” Elisa said when reading out her witness statement at the trial of Faisal, who is charged with voluntarily causing injury to Emilia.

The sixth prosecution witness said Emilia also sent photos of the bruises on her thigh and marks on her hands, around 8pm on Oct 20, 2015, with a torn birthday card she had given to Faisal.

“I asked her what had happened. She told me Faisal had arrived from overseas between 2pm and 3pm (on Oct 20, 2015). She had gone with her son to the airport to surprise him and pick him up.

“After arriving home, she cooked Faisal healthy food as she knew he was on a diet. She then proceeded to make him salmon with lemon sauce, avocado, olives and spinach.

“When she served the food, Faisal threw the plate at her. He also ‘campak’ (threw) Emilia to the floor multiple times.

“After the incident, Emilia told me that Faisal tore up his birthday card and locked Emilia out of their bedroom situated on the third floor,” she said.

The witness said she insisted that Emilia tell someone who was older and wiser to give her proper advice. However, Emilia did not want to tell their mother about the matter because she did not want her to worry.

“I then begged her (Emilia) to tell someone and suggested Mak, Faisal’s mother. After some persuasion, she agreed to this.”

Elisa said she and Emilia finally met Faisal’s mother at her house in Bukit Tunku.

Elisa said Faisal’s mother advised Emilia to make a police report but Emilia did not want to do so because she did not want to embarrass Faisal or the family and also wanted to protect the family’s reputation.

The witness said on Nov 22, 2015, Emilia told her that Faisal continued to beat her and asked her to call the police to go to her house in Serene Kiara immediately because she was scared.

“I asked my husband, Carl, to accompany me to see Emilia at her house in Serene Kiara. I also called the police and told them that I needed them to escort me to the house because my sister was being beaten up and assaulted by her husband,” she said.

Elisa said when she and the police arrived at the house, Faisal greeted them nicely and one of the policemen asked Faisal, ‘Masalah apa ini’? (What is the problem?)

“Faisal replied ‘Masalah rumah tangga, benda kecil sahaja, tak apa, adik ipar saya sudah sampai’,” the witness said adding that she went upstairs to get Emilia.

She said when Emilia opened the door, she appeared to be in fear. She saw bruises on her face. Emilia, who was crying, asked the police for help and told them she had been assaulted.

Faisal, 43, is charged with voluntarily causing hurt to Emilia, 43, at a house in Desa Sri Hartamas here, between 12.30pm and 4.30pm on Nov 22, 2015, under Section 323 of the Penal Code.

Anyone convicted of the offence can be jailed up to two years, fined a maximum of RM2,000, or both.

The hearing before magistrate Nadia Othman continues on Jan 5. - FMT