The Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court has allowed Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar, a member of the Federal Territory Islamic Council (MAIWP), to represent Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib.

Justice Mohamad Abdullah found that Zainul Rijal is not representing the council in this case.

NONE"Hence, his presence in representing Mahmud Abu Bekir would not prejudice the case," he ruled.

Justice Mohamad also gave the assurance that the court would not be influenced following Zainur Rijal's appointment, and would act independently in dispensing justice.

Mahmud Abu Bekir's former wife Shahnaz A Majid had applied to bar Zainul Rijal (left) from taking part in the proceedings, arguing that as a council member he can play a role in determining the appointment of judges.

Her lawyers cited Zainul Rijal's role in representing MAIWP where he stood for the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom, MAIWP chief enforcement officer Shamsuddin Haron and Federal Territory Islamic Department director Che Mat Che Ali, in contesting Anwar Ibrahim's qazaf (bearing false witness) application.

Roslizam Rahim and Abdul Halim Bahri represented Zainul Rijal.

Zainul Rijal and Saadiah Din are representing Mahmud Abu Bekir, while Rafie Mohd Shafie and Akbardin Abdul Kader are  representing Shahnaz in the post-divorce settlement of joint matrimonial assets.

Rafie later said that Shahnaz has instructed him to appeal the decision.

Zainul Rijal, was appointed as MAIWP council member last July and attended his first council meeting on Aug 11.

Mahmud Abu Bekir son of Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, was not present today. The court was to have continued hearing Shahnaz's testimony.

Zainul Rijal informed the court, however, that his client is in London to be with his wife who is facing surgery.

"She is scheduled to have follow-up treatment there on Feb 2. He has to be with his rightful wife," he said.

Rafie and Akbardin want the court to ensure Mahmud Abu Bekir's presence, so that he can verify the testimony and produce the necessary documents.

NONESaadiah said Shahnaz’s lawyers should provide documents to prove that Mahmud Abu Bekir (left in photo) can pay the RM100 million mutaah (gift, as compensation) that is the subject of a claim before the court.

However, Rafie said that, in mutaah applications, it is not necessary for documentation to be provided.

"I also feel that a RM100 million gift is like kacang putih (peanuts) compared to his assets worldwide," he said.

"Please make sure of your client's attendance as he has been giving a lot of excuses for not attending hearings.”

Justice Mohamad fixed March 12 and 13 to continue the hearing.

Apart from the mutaah claim, Shahnaz is seeking RM300 million in joint matrimonial assets. She had filed the application early last year.

The couple were married on Jan 9, 1992 and have a son, Raden Murya, 17.

In her application for divorce and claim for assets and compensation, Shahnaz claimed that Mahmud Abu Bekir, the group deputy chairperson of Cahaya Mata Sarawak, owns property in many places, thousands of hectares of land in Sarawak and in Bukit Tunku Kuala Lumpur.

The joint assets include seven luxury cars that include Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley and Maserati marques; shares in 15 companies including Cahaya Mata Sarawak and Sarawak Cable Bhd; and savings, money in the EPF, and Amanah Saham Bumiputera units.

Shahnaz claimed that, two years' after they were married, Mahmud Abu Bekir showed changes in his behaviour resulting in him rarely returning home, and that they have not had a physical relationship since 2001.

Following Shahnaz's application, Mahmud Abu Bekir divorced her on May 11 last year.