Taib’s son offers out-of-court settlement

Aidila Razak

Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, the son of the Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, today offered an out-of-court settlement to his ex-wife Shahnaz A Majid over her matrimonial claims.

This comes a day after the Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court instructed Mahmud Abu Bekir, who is Cahaya Mata Sarawak deputy chairperson, to declare his assets.

“We have come to an agreement with the other party to make on offer within 14 days for all cases pending,” Mahmud Abu Bekir’s counsel Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar said.

Mahmud Abu Bekir, who is also represented by Saadiah Din, will make the offer within 14 days.


Justice Mohamad Abdullah postponed the hearing to May 23, pending the outcome of the settlement negotiations.

Mahmud Abu Bekir, seen smiling in court today, was married to Shahnaz for 19 years before the divorce was recorded on May 11, 2011.

They have a son, who was born in December 2003.

Shahnaz has claimed assets and mutaah (gifts) amounting to RM400 million in the divorce settlement.

Shahnaz, who is a sister of popular singer Sheila Majid, had yesterday tearfully testified on how Mahmud Abu Bekir had physically and emotionally abused her during their marriage.

She was expected to take the stand again today to reveal the assets of Mahmud Abu Bekir and his family.

Justice Mohamad today also cancelled the show-cause order issued against Mahmud Abu Bekir, which had been applied for by Shahnaz’s lawyer, as the trial is still continuing.

The order was applied to be imposed on Mahmud Abu Bekir for not coming to court despite being told to do so. Acting for Shahnaz were Rafie Mohd Shafie and Akbardin Abdul Kadir