A lawyer representing Raja Ahmad Syahrir Iskandar Raja Salim, the husband of Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, is challenging her application for custody of their two children.

The matter came up at the Kuala Lumpur Lower Syariah Court where lawyer Azmi Rais, representing Raja Ahmad Syahrir, and Normawaddah Ramli for Nurul Izzah, met the judge Amran Mat Zain in chambers today.

Azmi told reporters that the court has fixed Aug 27 for Raja Ahmad Shahrir to file his defence statement and counterclaim (on custody).

Today the matter was fixed for the appointment of Raja Ahmad Shahrir’s lawyers, where Azmi and Zulkifli Che Yong were appointed to represent him.

Both Nurul Izzah and Raja Ahmad Shahrir and Zulkifli were not present during today’s proceedings.

Previously it was reported that Nurul Izzah had filed her application to be given custody of their two children, a daughter aged seven and a son aged four.

She filed her application under Section 81 of the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984 for hadhanah (custody) where its stated the mother is the best person, entitled to have custody of her infant children during connubial relationship and after dissolution of a marriage.

She is also seeking a divorce from Raja Ahmad Syahrir, where the matter is still pending at the KL Lower Syariah Court.

It was reported that the Lembah Pantai MP and PKR vice-president had filed for divorce last year, citing irreconcilable differences.

A reconciliation committee had been formed comprising a representative from Nurul Izzah, another from Raja Ahmad Shahrir’s family, and a syarie officer where they were supposed to come in by June 12 to report to the judge on the possibility of the couple getting back together.

However, Thursday’s date was vacated as the judge had other things to attend to.

Azmi said no dates had been fixed to hear the divorce proceeding.

Nurul Izzah filed her application under Section 47 of the Act to seek a mutual divorce.