KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- The Syariah High Court here today granted permission for Syarie lawyer Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar, who is a member of the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), to represent Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Abdul Taib in the RM100 million mutaah (consolatory gift after divorce) claim filed by his ex-wife.

Syariah Chief judge Muhammad Abdullah made the decision after hearing submissions by lawyers Abdul Halim Bahari and Roslizam Rahim, representing Zainul Rijal, the respondent in the case, and lawyer Dr Mohd Rafie Mohd Shafie, representing Shahnaz Abdul Majid, who is Mahmud Abu Bekir's former wife.

Another lawyer, Saadiah Din, is also representing Mahmud Abu Bekir, 49, who is Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud's son.

Shahnaz, 49, had applied to bar Zainul Rijal from taking part in the mutaah proceedings due to his status as a MAIWP member for fear that there would a conflict of interests.

In his judgment, Muhammad said he found that Zainul Rijal was not representing MAIWP in this case.

He also said that when he was appointed the trial judge, Zainul Rijal was not appointed a member of the council yet.

The court set March 13 to decide on a show-cause notice filed by Shahnaz against her former husband for allegedly failing to abide a court order, and also the latter's application to set aside the notice.

Shahnaz, sister of jazz singer Datuk Sheila Majid had also filed an application to get RM300 million in matrimonial property from Mahmud Abu Bekir.

On Aug 5 last year, she was granted leave to commence committal proceedings against her former husband for allegedly failing to abide by a court order.

The couple, who married on Jan 9, 1992, were divorced on May 11 last year. They have a son, Raden Murya, 19.