Friday, May 04, 2007

So this is justice: more developments (2)

NST pix: Raimah Bibi Noordin and P.Marimuthu leaving the court
after reaching a settlement regarding custody of their children.

Marimuthu and his common law wife Raimah are now told they're not 'legally' married - 21 years and 7 children later. They're rubber tappers, numbered among Malaysia's poor and marginalised. Marimuthu gets his children back but loses his wife. Raimah gets access but loses a husband. Religious authorities score a win. Is this what justice looks like?

At the hearing Tuesday, Raimah Bibi, 39, broke down and sobbed openly when the judge asked her if she would give up custody of their seven children, who are aged between four and 14.

However, in a statement to the court, Raimah Bibi said she was born a Muslim and wants to "continue professing the Islamic faith."
[More]

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