Shahnaz A Majid today succeeded in recusing Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court judge Ibrahim Ideris from hearing her RM400 million joint matrimonial asset claim from her former husband, Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, the son of Sarawak governor.

This particular claim was fixed for its first day of hearing today and it is different from her RM100 million mutaah (gift following divorce) claim which is before another judge.

Her lawyers - Akberdin Abdul Kadir and Rafie Mohd Shafie - sought Ibrahim's recusal as he, along with Bekir lawyer Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar, went on a trip together to Jordan and Egypt organised by the Muslim Lawyers Association of Malaysia last year.

This, they warned, is a violation under Article 3(a)(1)(a) and 4(f) of the Syariah Judges Code of Ethics, which may affect the impartiality in the disposal of justice.

"We are also concerned that the close relationship may result in the fear of bias in handling this case.

"Furthermore, when you (Ibrahim) went for the trip to Jordan and Egypt under the association, it had already been declared as an illegal society after its registration was revoked by the Registrar of Societies," they said.

Legal wrangle

Zainul Rijal said that he was not aware that his association had been declared an illegal society as of July last year, adding that he would apply to have it re-registered.

He also claimed this was an official trip to Jordan and Egypt that was directed to meet the young lawyers there.

After hearing the submission, Ibrahim agreed to withdraw himself from hearing the case to prevent any legal wrangle.

Now the case is fixed before a deputy registrar at an unstipulated date for a new judge to be appointed.

Ibrahim was previously a chief prosecutor at the Federal Territory Islamic Department.

After 19 years' of marriage, Bekir divorced Shahnaz by uttering talak (proclamation of divorce) on May 11, 2011.

However before the divorce, she had already submitted her application for joint matrimonial asset and gift.

She also filed a RM121 million claim for maintenance of their only son.

Her mutaah case is fixed on Nov 17 for clarification and oral submissions.

Shahnaz is the elder sister of jazz queen Sheila Majid.

Editor's note: Malaysiakini has corrected the original headline, which mentioned 'holiday' instead of 'trip'. We apologise for the mistake.