(ANN/THE STAR) – Singaporean actor Aliff Aziz has opted not to proceed with divorcing his wife, Malaysian artiste Bella Astillah, stating that he still loves her and needs more time to make a final decision.
Aliff, 33, made this declaration at the Federal Territory Lower Syariah Court on Thursday, expressing his reluctance to agree to the divorce.
“This isn’t a decision I can make in just one day. I need time. I don’t agree (with the divorce). I still love Bella,” he explained.
However, with both parties unable to reach an agreement, Syarie judge Wan Mohd Najib Wan Hamat has instructed them to appoint a conciliatory committee (JKP) in their divorce case. The case is scheduled to be revisited on June 4.
Meanwhile, Bella, whose real name is Dayang Ara Nabellah Awang Astillah, expressed shock at Aliff’s decision not to proceed with the divorce. Speaking to reporters outside the court, the actress revealed that she was “very tired” and had hoped for a resolution that day.
“This is the second time I’m coming to court. Does it seem as if I like going back and forth? Divorce is the one thing I fear most, which is why I’ve been trying to (fix our marriage) for years. But I think I’ve had enough now,” she stated.
Bella, who married Aliff in 2016, filed for divorce on March 11. Her decision came shortly after Aliff and local actress Ruhainies were arrested at a condominium in KL by authorities from the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) for suspected khalwat (close proximity).
In an interview with local press on April 3, Bella claimed that Aliff had intended to divorce her in February as he no longer had feelings for her.
She also accused him of cheating on her multiple times, including with her younger sister.
This is the second time Bella has filed for divorce. The couple divorced in 2019 after Aliff was accused of cheating on her, but they reconciled in 2020.
