Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir told the Sharia High Court in Kuala Lumpur today that he was 'technically’ in a polygamous marriage. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, January 21, 2015.Businessman Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Abdul Taib admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Shariah Court today that he was "technically" in a polygamous marriage when asked to explain his relationship with a Russian woman.He said that his polygamy was only "technical" as his legal marriage was to only one woman.Mahmud was speaking at the hearing of the RM100 million mu'taah (gift) claim filed against him by his ex-wife Shahnaz A Majid.He was being questioned on why he had mentioned the Russian woman as his wife in a magazine interview, and not Shahnaz, who was his legal wife."Technically, I am polygamous; but, practically, I am not."If I say Shahnaz is my wife, of course people will think I am polygamous when I am actually not," said Mahmud today.Mahmud, who is the son of Sarawak Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, was being examined by Shahnaz’s lawyer, Akbardin Abdul Kader.Akbardin had asked Mahmud why he did not name Shahnaz as his wife, but instead declared Datin Elena Vasilenko as his legal spouse in an interview with “The Peak" magazine in 2010. "When asked about my wife, I spoke of the one who lives with me," he said.Mahmud admitted he married Vasilenko in April 2003 in Narathiwat, Thailand, and has four children with her.He denied that he had humiliated his ex-wife by marrying Vasilenko quietly, or had slighted Shahnaz in front of family and friends by bringing an Australian woman to the wedding of his brother Datuk Hanifa Hajar Taib in 1999."To clarify, the woman at that wedding was my wife and her parents were also present."However, the plaintiff's counsel accused Mahmud of lying based on new evidence showing he married the Australian woman in February 2010."You lie. Datuk, you said you had already married Aida when you both attended your brother's wedding."You have to remember to think carefully if that is right or not," the lawyer said.Mahmud maintained his answer, saying that he would never have the courage to bring a girlfriend to the event to meet his family, unless they had married.On May 11, 2011, the Shariah High Court confirmed the divorce between Mahmud and Shahnaz. The couple were married on January 9, 1992 and have a son named Raden Murya.The hearing of the RM400 million mu'taah between Mahmud and Shahnaz, who is the elder sister of singer Datuk Sheila Majid, attracted attention as it was expected to expose former Sarawak chief minister Taib's wealth.Meanwhile, Mahmud was also asked if he had sought Shahnaz's permission to remarry."No, I didn't ask her for permission," he said, adding that he chose to marry in Thailand because it was more convenient and faster.Judge Muhammad Abdul Karim Wahab fixed January 29 to continue the hearing. – January 21, 2015.
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