KUALA LUMPUR: A marriage, built over 28 years by ex-national badminton player, Jalani Sidek with his wife, film producer Raja Azmi Raja Sulaiman ended today after they were confirmed divorced at the Gombak Timur Lower Syariah Court, here.

In pronouncing the "talak", Jalani in a calm voice said: "I, Jalani Sidek, hereby divorce my wife Raja Azmi Raja Sulaiman with a first pronouncement of divorce (talak satu). 

Prior to the pronouncement, Syariah judge Saiful Azli Jamaludin gave the opportunity to Jalani, 49, and Raja Azmi, 53, to shake hands before the court confirmed the divorce.

The pair was seen choked with emotion and crying when they shook hands and embraced.

Saiful Azli allowed the pronouncement of divorce by Jalani after he was satisfied that love no longer existed in the marriage and there was a prolonged conflict.

"The court affirmed the first pronouncement of divorce and ordered the plaintiff (Raja Azmi) to undergo the grace period," he said.

The judge also praised the action of the couple, who married on Dec 22, 1984 by not allowing the divorce to make them enemies but remained as friends.

"Pity it happens to a marriage of 28 years. It is a loss because it was built over a long period. The court hopes the defendant (Jalani) and plaintiff can learn from this for the future," he said.

Raja Azmi who was represented by Syariah lawyer Roslizam Rahim filed an application for divorce yesterday evening under Section 47 of the Islamic Family Law (Selangor) 2003 due to irreconcilable differences in their marriage.

Earlier, Roslizam told the court that the couple had discussed for a long time before deciding to apply for divorce.
   
Roslizam said they could still love each other as friends but not as husband and wife.

When met outside the court, the mother of two girls, aged 27 and 23, and a boy, 18, appeared sad and said she accepted everything that happened.

"I consider what happened as a present from God on my birthday today," said Raja Azmi who was dressed in a black baju kurung and accompanied by her second daughter.

Meanwhile, Jalani said he did not have any ill feelings for anybody and regarded that everything was for his own good and that of his family.

The couple was seen present in court at 3pm, and an hour later, Raja Azmi and Jalani, who wore a checked shirt, left the compound of the court after the proceeding ended.

 - Bernama