Late Laila’s shares must be given to all beneficiaries, court hears

KUCHING (Oct 2): The High Court here was told today that the distribution of the late Datuk Patinggi Laila Taib’s shares must be given to all the beneficiaries to avoid confusion.

This was stated by former Chief Syariah Judge of Sarawak Datu Mohamed Ali Mohd Sheriff, who testified as the fourth plaintiff witness in the civil suit filed by the sons of the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Dato Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib and Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, against their stepmother Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib and RHB Investment Bank Berhad.

During the cross-examination by Raghad’s counsel Alvin Yong, Mohamed Ali was asked if, following Taib’s passing, she could claim Taib’s shares in the late Laila’s estate under Syariah law.

“To avoid the confusion, the distribution of Laila’s shares has to be given to all the beneficiaries.

“Then, since Tun Taib has already passed away, the first defendant (Raghad) can go to the Syariah Court to ask for Faraid,” he said.

However, Mohamed Ali said the recovery process of Laila’s estate could also potentially be addressed by the civil court.

“The civil court may also handle the redistribution of Laila’s estate since the Syariah Court lacks jurisdiction in this area,” he said.

He also affirmed that the Syariah Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear matters related to shares.

Sulaiman and Bekir are represented by Jonathan Tay, Alvin Chong, Harizan Hamzah and Ezekiel John Chang.

Raghad is represented by Yong, Shirleen Ong and Wong Chung Ming, while second defendant RHB Investment Bank Berhad is represented by Tan Kee Heng and Lesley Ling.

High Court Judge Alexander Siew How Wai presided over the proceedings.