KUALA LUMPUR: The divorce case of tycoon Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib was adjourned after he failed to attend Monday's proceedings.
Syariah High Court judge Muhamad Abdul Karim Wahab reprimanded Mahmud and his legal team for "simply trying to postpone the case," saying it was unethical.
"I want the lawyers and the defendant to respect the court and hope this practice will not be repeated," he said.
He said any application for postponement should be done in open court and not via letters.
The judge fixed Dec 1, Jan 21, 22 and 29 as the next hearing dates.
Mahmud is being sued by ex-wife Shahnaz A Majid, 51, who is claiming RM400mil, of which RM300mil as matrimonial property, as part of the divorce settlement.
She is also claiming 50% of all assets owned by Mahmud, son of Sarawak Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, including luxury cars, houses in various locations, land in Sarawak and shares.
Earlier, Mahmud's co-counsel, Saadiah Din, informed the judge that Mahmud was not present as he was told that the court had allowed a postponement while lead counsel Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar was in Jordan for another function.
"We only received a letter informing us that today's proceeding has been granted adjournment," she said.
Shahnaz's counsel Akbardin Abdul Kader interjected saying that the letter they received stated that the trial would proceed and the court had directed the defendant to replace with another counsel.
Akbardin said it was timely for the Syariah Court to have the same level of standard as the Civil High Court.
He said the defendant failed to turn up and gave reasons for not being present.
"I would like to propose a cost of RM15,000 as the case involves a huge quantum. Furthermore, this case has dragged on for so long and we cannot tolerate anymore," he added.
Judge Muhamad then asked Saadiah where her client was and Saadiah replied that Mahmud was in the United Kingdom.
He would decide the cost (suggested by Akbardin) on Dec 1.
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