SHAH ALAM: The divorce of singer Ziana Zain and Armin Zaharin Ahmad Zambri had been put on hold after Armin raised the issue of legal custody of their children when the case was mentioned at the Syariah Lower Court here today.
Armin told Syarie Judge Mohd Nizam Mohtar that he was prepared to divorce Ziana, whose real name is Siti Roziana Zain, only if he was granted the right to see their children.
“I can divorce her but I want a joint custody of our children. I want to be allowed to see the children,” said Armin, who was clad in long-sleeved white shirt and grey pants.
Ziana, who turned up in a matching blue jubah and scarf, however, told the court that she was advised by her lawyer and the police not to let the children meet with their father for the time being for fear that it would affect the criminal case faced by Armin.
Armin had previously pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court here to an alternative charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt on their nine-year-old son using a cane at their marital home in Denai Alam here last February.
“My children are the witnesses in the case and I was advised, that if possible, not to let them meet with their father for fear that they will be influenced by him. I have no objection for them to meet after the (criminal) case is solved. I am just following police orders,” Ziana said.
Mohd Nizam then recorded that Armin did not consent to the divorce and issued an order under Section 47 (5) of the Islamic Family Law (State of Selangor) Enactment 2003 for the case to be referred to a conciliatory committee.
He also set June 28 for remention.
“Any dispute or demand for child custody has to be taken to the Syariah High Court because I have no power to hear or decide on the matter,” the judge said.
Ziana, 50, and Armin, 58, tied the knot on May 9, 1998, and had four children – Muhammad Aiman, 18, Muhammad Ammar, 14, and nine-year-old fraternal twins Muhammad Ariel and Siti Nur Kaseh.
Armin is a former chief steward of the national airlines and currently unemployed.
Meanwhile, when met outside the court, Ziana said she felt calmer now that she had filed for divorce to end her 20 years of marriage with Armin.
“I feel a lot calmer now because I know what kind of person he is. Throughout our marriage, I feel like I am living in hell...I was traumatised to go home after work. I would cry even before I reach the gate.
“My children were also stressed out by Armin’s behaviour. One of them had to be referred to a psychiatrist after suffering from depression since he was 14. I personally don’t know how I could be so patient before, but this (divorce) is where I draw the line,” she said, while holding back tears. - Bernama