Witness: SM Faisal was Emilia’s only serious boyfriend
LUMPUR: Businessman Datuk SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin was his ex-wife Emilia Hanafi’s only serious boyfriend throughout their school years until they got married in 2004, the Magistrate’s Court heard.
Emilia’s younger sister, Elisa Nani Hanafi, 38, said she came to know Faisal at the age of 10 through Emilia herself, when he came to their house with his mother.
“Faisal met Emilia through my brother, Ezhan. Emilia and Faisal were 15 then, and Ezhan was a year younger. At that time, Faisal was living in Damansara Jaya.
“Eventually, both our families became close. During the weekends, my youngest sister and I would often follow Emilia to hang out in his family home or venture out for food outings along with all his siblings,” she said.
According to Bernama, Elisa was reading out her witness statement at the trial of Faisal, who is charged with voluntarily causing injury to Emilia.
The sixth prosecution witness said she also spent the holidays with Faisal’s family, as she did not have friends in Malaysia then.
“I would spend time hanging out with his siblings and parents, especially his mother, Puan Sri Zaleha, whom I called Aunty, Aunty Z, Aunty Leha or Mak.
“She always welcomed us and would also cook delicious Malay food for us,” she said, adding that before that, she and her family were living in Texas, United States.
During the examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Zahida Zakaria, the witness identified Faisal, who was in a white T-shirt, and Emilia in court.
She said when Faisal’s father died in 2008, she felt the same loss for Nasimuddin, or Uncle Nasim, as their family would call him. He was someone she looked up to as a father figure.
Elisa said Emilia and Faisal were 25 when they got married, adding that she flew back from her studies in Melbourne for their akad nikah and wedding receptions.
“After Emilia gave birth to her firstborn in 2006, I had just moved back to Malaysia from Australia and often visited Emilia and her family. I would go to their condominium in Ampang every chance I had to see and play with my nephew,” she said.
Faisal, 43, is charged with voluntarily causing hurt to Emilia, 43, at a house in Desa Sri Hartamas, Brickfields here, between 12.30pm and 4.30pm on Nov 22, 2015.
The charge under Section 323 of the Penal Code is punishable under Section 326A of the same code, which provides for imprisonment for up to two years, a maximum fine of RM2,000 or both, upon conviction.
The hearing before magistrate Nadia Othman continues on Dec 6.