Both Syamsul Yusof and Puteri Sarah agree to go their separate ways. Photos: The Star, Puteri Sarah/Instagram
In an unexpected twist in the monthslong drama, filled with anger and resentment between husband Syamsul Yusof and first wife Puteri Sarah Liyana, the two apparently have decided on divorcing amicably after all.
They reached the decision to go their own ways on Sunday (April 9), when they got together for breaking fast this Ramadan.
They were scheduled to appear in court for the hearing of the report by the Conciliatory Committee on Monday.
According to mStar – The Star’s Malay-language portal – the court has set April 18 to record the separation agreement between Syamsul and Puteri Sarah and for the divorce pronouncement.
The article mentioned that both Syamsul and Puteri Sarah appeared calm and relaxed on Monday as they entered the court premises.
“Thanks to the blessed month of Ramadan, everything has been made easier," said Puteri Sarah when the media met her at Syariah Lower Court, Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur.
"We discussed and reached a mutual decision. What’s more, Syamsul has agreed to all the terms that I have set,”
“I feel much calmer now, and can think about moving on. All these while I just wanted the case to be over.”
The fact that the two of them talked things over and reached an agreement will also put an end to Syamsul’s refusal to divorce Puteri Sarah, which he expressed in court on March 7 during first mention of Puteri Sarah's divorce application.
Puteri Sarah added that she herself was surprised that she was open to meeting Syamsul, and said it was the blessed month of Ramadan that opened her heart.
“I also don’t know why I was open to meeting Syamsul las night. I thought, for me at least, that I would be able to resolve our problems – including child custody and alimony – if I were to meet him face to face,” she said.
Puteri Sarah also added that she doesn’t want to fight with Syamsul anymore and wants to keep an amicable relationship with him for the sake of their children.
Furthermore, she said, Syamsul will be retracting the nusyuz (disobedience) application he had filed on March 21 against Puteri Sarah.
“On matters regarding child custody, we will decide on April 18 during the (second) mention of the divorce application.
“We will separate without any further conflicts. We will remain as friends for the sake of our children. When I met Syamsul last night, it was clear he didn’t want to fight.”
Syamsul and Puteri Sarah got married on March 8, 2014 and have two children together, six and four.
On Jan 6, Syamsul shared that he married Ira Kazar in Thailand and that she is his second wife while Puteri Sarah is legally still his first wife.
Puteri Sarah filed for divorce on Jan 16 with the permission of the court under Section 47 of the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984, on the grounds that there was no more understanding and with prolonged shiqaq (disagreement) between them, they could no longer live together as husband and wife according to the Syariah law.
