The Kuala Lumpur High Court today set Feb 24 to hear a comprehensive submission from Kelantan prince Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Sultan Ismail Petra in his case against his wife Manohara.

The decision was made by senior assistant registrar Noordura Mohamed Din in her chambers.

NONE Tengku Fakhry's counsel Mohd Haaziq Pillay told reporters that the prince came in person to testify in court as it is part of the legal procedures.

"The prince explained to the court today the losses that he faced, the amount of shame and trouble he went through," he told reporters.

On Nov 5, the High Court allowed Tengku Fakhry to enter judgment in default in his RM105 million defamation suit against his estranged Indonesian model wife, Manohara Odelia Pinot, and her mother, Daisy Fajarina, after they failed to appoint counsel.

A judgment in default is a binding decision made in favour of the plaintiff when a defendant does not respond to a summons or fails to appear before a court.

Wife walked out on him

Tengku Fakhry, the Sultan of Kelantan's third son, filed the RM105mil suit in the Kuala Lumpur Civil High Court on July 20 against Daisy and Manohara claiming that he was defamed at news conferences in April and June.

manohara odelia pinot meet malaysiakini interview 300609 01 In his statement of claim, the prince said that they had falsely and maliciously uttered slanderous words in allegations of sexual abuse on Manohara at news conferences between April and June.

The alleged defamatory words were republished in the electronic media such as The Jakarta Globe , Banjarmasin Post , Detiknews , Kompas.com , Global TV and Malaysiakini and widely reported in newspapers in Malaysia and Indonesia, he added.

Tengku Fakhry, 31, and Manohara, 17, who holds the title Cik Puan Temenggong, were married on Aug 26, 2008, and lived in Istana Mahkota, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.

Nine months after the marriage, Manohara returned to Indonesia without the permission or knowledge of her husband.

‘I've become a laughing stock'

Earlier, Tengku Fakhry read out his witness statement before senior assistant registrar Noordura in her chambers.

He said that he loved Manohara very much and that they shared a close relationship.

"My family, members of the royal household and palace officials are witness to this closeness that we share," he stated.

He added that Manohara was always cheerful and had never voiced any of her problems to his family members or to him while stay was staying in the palace or attending a public function.

NONE He said that he has never scolded or admonished Manohara in front of his family members or friends in any point in time.

The prince told the court that he was embarrassed and faced pressure when the media reported the allegations made by Manohara and her mother.

"Everyone believed them. I was forced to convince people that I am innocent.

"The allegations made by Manohara made it seemed that I am a wild animal and this has tarnished my untainted reputation.

"I have became a laughing stock and a few of my friends and associates have ended their friendship and business contracts with me as they do not want to have anything to do with me.

"I will not be able to get back a good reputation regardless of the amount of damages offered.

"There are also those who feel that I do not deserve to be the Tengku Temenggong of Kelantan," he said.

He told the court that he is depressed and could not sleep at night because of this incident.