Malay Mail Online reported lawyer Cyrus Das as saying this was possible following the Federal Court ruling today in Khoo’s favour. He stated the ruling meant the couple were exempted from going through a reconciliation process first.
The Federal Court ruling upholds the Malaysian courts’ previous decisions that Malaysia should be where the couple’s divorce is decided.
The court unanimously dismissed a leave application by Chai to challenge the constitutionality of the domicile rule ― where a wife’s residing country has to follow her husband’s and will be the place where a divorce is decided.
In the protracted legal battle, Chai, 69, had sought for the UK courts to decide the divorce, with the laws there making it possible for her to gain up to half of Khoo’s estimated £400 million (RM2.1 billion) fortune.
Khoo, 77-year-old chairman of international fashion brand Laura Ashley, wanted to have the divorce heard in Malaysia, arguing that they were married in Malaysia where he has his official residence.
Khoo would risk losing less of his wealth if the trial is held here, according to legal observers.