The Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court has fixed Sept 12 as the hearing date for contempt proceedings against the Sarawak chief minister’s son, Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, for not abiding with the court’s discovery order.

azlanIt also fixed Oct 10 for the hearing of the RM300 million in joint matrimonial assets claim by his former wife Shahnaz A Majid, whom he divorced recently.

The court also fixed Oct 17 for hearing of the RM100 million mutaah (conciliatory gift) for Shahnaz.

All the dates were fixed before the court today before Justice Mohamad Abdullah.

The contempt proceedings ensued because Abu Bekir allegedly did not comply with a court order for the discovery of his assets which are to be furnished to Shahnaz and her lawyers.

Abu Bekir will be required to come to court on Sept 12 and state the reasons he did not comply with the discovery order. Failure to do so may result in a warrant of arrest being issued against him.

Shahnaz, who is the sister of jazz queen Sheila Majid, had gained the order in May.

Although no time was given in the order, Order 135 of the Syariah Court Civil Procedure states that if no time is stated, the act shall be done within seven days from the date of the judgment or order.

Abu Bekir applies to set aside discovery

Meanwhile, lawyers acting for Abu Bekir have also file an application to set aside the discovery order. Sept 26 this year has been fixed for mention.

Abu Bekir also submitted his defence for the mutaah claim where, among others, he stated that Shahnaz’s claim of RM100 million was excessive and instead laid the burden of proof upon her as  the claims are non-justifiable.

In his defence, Abu Bekir who is Cahaya Mata Sarawak Bhd executive chairperson, also denied claims of abusing Shahnaz or a change in his character after marriage. He placed the burden of proof on her to demonstrate the claims.

The executive chairperson also denied that he had shirked or was negligent of his responsibility as a husband, and claimed Shahnaz only created stories.

Shahnaz filed the joint matrimonial asset application seeking RM300 million worth of assets that the couple had amassed together in their 19 years of marriage, as well as RM100 million in conciliatory gifts.

She had cited irreconcilable differences, domestic violence and not having sex (nafkah batin) since 2001 as reasons for her divorce application.

Shahnaz was represented by counsel Dr Mohd Rafie Mohd Shafie while counsel Saadiah Din appeared for Abu Bekir.