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READY FOR ACTION: Daughter-in-law of Sarawak chief minister and lawyer walking to court.

Taib Mahmud's daughter-in-law to send divorce papers to estranged husband

KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud's daughter-in-law, who had filed a divorce against her husband last month, today informed the courts that she has yet to serve the divorce papers to her estranged husband.

Datin Sri Shahnaz A. Majid had filed for divorce from Datuk Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Feb 21. The Syariah Lower Courts was informed that thus far, the divorce papers had only been passed to Mahmud's maid.

"We have tried passing the divorce documents personally to Mahmud. However, the effort failed as no one is allowed to enter his house. The document was passed to his maid instead," said Sri Shahnaz's lawyer, Dr Mohd Rafie Mohd Shafie.

Mohd Rafie then sought permission for the court to allow him to file an affidavit which would enable him to send the divorce documents via mail to Mahmud.

Syarie judge Mohd Amirul Adam Ahmad allowed Mohd Rafie's application to file the affidavit and later set April 24 for mention.

Sri Shahnaz, who is the sister to local jazz queen Datuk Sheila Majid, is seeking the court to annul the marriage through 'fasakh' under Section 52(1)(d), Section 52(1)(h)(i), Section 52(1)(h)(ii) and Section 52(1)(h)(iv) of the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984 on grounds that she has not been receiving "nafkah batin" since 2001.

In her application, she is seeking RM100 million for 'mutaah' (alimony) and RM300 million for matrimonial property from her estranged husband.

She also said Mahmud had physically and mentally abused her by punching her face, resulting her to have black eyes and had used a list of derogatory words against her.

Mahmud was not present in court today.

The couple were married on January 9, 1992, and have a son, Raden Murya Abdul Taib Mahmud, 17.-malaymail