ANN/THE STAR – Malaysian artiste Bella Astillah has initiated divorce proceedings from her Singaporean spouse, Aliff Aziz.
Addressing the media outside the Syariah Lower Court in Kuala Lumpur on March 13, the 29 year-old Bella expressed that divorce seemed the most suitable solution to resolve the ongoing marital discord with Aliff, aged 33.
Known professionally as Dayang Ara Nabellah Awang Astillah, the singer emphasised her firm decision to conclude her marriage with Aliff this time, citing numerous prior attempts to reconcile their relationship.
Bella and Aliff, who share two children, divorced in 2019 after he was accused of cheating on her but reconciled in 2020.
“This is the best path for me and Aliff. I just want everything to go smoothly, considering that we are in the month of Ramadhan now. I’m determined (to continue with the divorce) as I have already given him lots of chances,” she said.
According to syarie lawyer Azmi Mohd Rais, who represented Bella, Aliff had agreed with the singer’s decision to divorce and was set to attend proceedings yesterday.
However, the Singaporean actor was unable to do so as he had a filming schedule. The hearing has since been adjourned to April 4.
Bella’s divorce application comes days after Aliff was nabbed by religious authorities for suspected khalwat (close proximity).
Officials from the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) arrested him and local actress Ruhainies on the early morning of March 9 after they were seen together at a condominium in KL.
Aliff, who married Bella in 2016, apologised for the incident in an Instagram Story on March 10 and said he will issue a statement to explain what really happened to avoid further misunderstandings.
Ruhainies, 31, also made a similar statement on Instagram. – Anndrea A Webber
