KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib told the Syariah High Court his former wife, Shahnaz Abdul Majid, was influenced into believing that he has many personal properties, leading her to claim for RM100mil in alimony.
Mahmud, who is Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud's eldest son, said the amount claimed was too much and unreasonable.
"I do not understand why it is too much. Probably she received inaccurate advice from certain quarters.
"I believe there are certain quarters who told her my family is rich due to corruption problems. That is merely politics," he said during hearing on his wife's alimony claims before Syariah Judge Muhamad Abdul Karim Wahab.
Apart from the alimony claims, Shahnaz, 51, also claimed for personal property such as child maintenance amounting to RM121mil and matrimonial property of RM300mil.
Mahmud Abu Bekir said prior to their divorce, Shahnaz did not stated she wanted to make those claims.
"I am very puzzled with those claims. She (Shahnaz) took news excerpts from the 'Sarawak Report' website that released false news about our family," he said.
During the proceeding, he did not agree with allegations that land used for oil palm cultivation belonged to him.
On the contrary, the land was only secondary forest that was being cultivated by small farmers for replanting.
Mahmud Abu Bekir said his former wife obtained information that was not true pertaining to properties that were said to have been assessed by an accredited accountant appointed by him.
"The valuer made assumptions that land owned by me in Sarawak has been planted with oil palm of between three to eight years.
"The accountant's report that I have an asset, worth between RM976mil and RM1.395bil is false," he said when questioned by his counsel, Saadiah Mohd Din.
The hearing continues on Sept 17.
On May 11 2011, the Syariah High Court confirmed the divorce of Mahmud Abu Bekir and Shahnaz.
The couple, who was married on Jan 9, 1992, have one son, Raden Murya, 22. - Bernama
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