Mahmud Bekir’s evidence on his giving Shahnaz house and cars, after separating, was not part of the mutaah.
Syariah judge Abdul Karim Wahab ruled that based on Mahmud Bekir’s financial capability he can pay RM30 million to Shahnaz. “I take into account that once he (Bekir) spent RM1 million in one go.”
“He can afford to pay RM30 million,” he ruled. “RM30 million can help her deal with the sadness throughout the marriage.”
The judge ordered Mahmud Bekir to pay the RM30 million in three installments starting from end of March to end of September.
Judge Abdul Karim pointed out that witness, accountant Andrew Heng’s testimony that he was worth RM1.3 billion in total was not rebutted. “His calculation was based on assumptions, and it was weak.”
The judge continued that Mahmud Bekir “abandoned” Shahnaz for ten years, without fulfilling his responsibility as the husband. “The negligence cannot be forgiven.”
“She was just holding the name as (Mahmud Bekir’s) wife when at that time she could have started a new life.”
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Shahnaz said she was grateful for the quantum awarded. “I waited so long, for four years. This case has gone through various courts.”
She stressed that the mutaah claim she filed was not “taking what belongs to Mahmud Bekir”.
“He is obliged to honour my rights as a wife,” she said.
Her lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader said RM30 million was the highest quantum ever awarded by the Islamic court. “This shows the Syariah Courts have jurisdiction to give an appropriate sum based on the facts of the case. We have succeeded in showing the Syariah Court that it has authority to give.”
Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar, for Mahmud Bekir, said his client was very disappointed with the decision.
“We will be filing the appeal on Friday against the quantum and the decision that Shahnaz deserves mutaah from Mahmud Bekir,” he said.
He’s also filing for stay of execution on paying the RM30 million.
Shahnaz and Bekir were married on 9 January 1992 and have a son, Raden Murya, who was born on 11 December 1993.
They were divorced on 11 May 2011 after being separated for 11 years.