Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Effendi Norwawi has been directed to show cause as to why he should not be jailed for reneging on a divorce settlement involving millions of ringgit worth of properties and assets.

The Kuala Lumpur Syariah Court today set Aug 10 for hearing of the contempt proceeding after allowing ex-wife Farida Effendi's application to commit Effendi for contempt of court over his failure to fulfil the settlement agreement reached on Jan 28, 2005.

Justice Mohd Shakir Abdul Hamid said that - after studying the settlement agreement which was endorsed by the court on June 21, 2005 - he was satisfied that there were merits to allow Farida's application for an issuance of a show-cause notice.

In his brief judgment, he said it was very clear that the document was the effect of an amicable divorce between the two parties and that the agreement was binding on the duo.

The agreement, he added, clearly stated that Effendi had agreed to surrender 27 types of properties and assets to Farida and that these properties would be transferred to her name.

"Although the agreement did not stipulate a time-frame for respondent (Effendi) to transfer the properties to the applicant (Farida), Section 135 of the Syariah Civil Procedure states that in the absence of a time-frame, any transfer of properties must be conducted within seven days from the date the court endorses the agreement.

"On this view, the court grants the application to issue the show cause letter to the respondent."

Effendi notified

Earlier, the court had dismissed a preliminary application filed by Effendi's lawyer Mohamad Burok on March 30, stating that Efendi is technically not involved at this stage, since the application was filed ex-parte.

Farida, 55 whose real name is Zariah Hashim, was seated next to her lawyer Mohd Rafie Shafie. She appeared calm as the court delivered its decision.

When contacted, Mohamad said he has notified Effendi, who is fully aware of the consequences, including an unspecified jail term upon conviction.

"Come Aug 10, we will present our case as to why there is no case against us," he said.

Farida had applied for the contempt proceeding, alleging that Effendi had wilfully failed to comply with the conditions of the court ruling in order to cause her distress.

The application listed the 20 properties including their home in Kuching, Sarawak, a townhouse in London and 100 percent of Encorp Utility shares, which the minister had allegedly failed to transfer to Farida's name.

She is also seeking compensation of RM200,000 a month beginning last November until the Encorp Utility shares are successfully transferred to her.

In her affidavit, she claimed that she had no choice but to institute the committal proceedings as she had been informed of alleged concerted efforts by certain parties to frustrate the transfer of shares to her name.

The couple were married for 33 years and have three children: Elfida, Elyna and Ezra. The minister is now married to actress Tiara Jacquelina.