Late Jamaluddin Jarjis’ widow, family may reach settlement tomorrow for RM2.1bil estate

Lawyer representing widow says both parties agree to discuss matter behind closed doors before judge

Jamaluddin’s widow Puan Sri Kalsom Ismail (in brown baju kurung) testified at the shariah high court earlier today. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, July 2, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR – The family dispute in the shariah court over RM2.1 billion worth of matrimonial property left behind by the late politician Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis could reach a settlement tomorrow, a lawyer for one of the parties said.

Nur Hidayah A. Bakar, who is representing Jamaluddin’s mother Aminah Abdullah, said the shariah high court here had fixed today and tomorrow for trial, but it now appeared that the matter may be decided tomorrow.

“Jamaluddin’s widow (Puan Sri Kalsom Ismail) testified earlier today. But the matter was postponed as both parties agreed to discuss for a possible settlement tomorrow,” she told Scoop.

It is understood tomorrow’s proceedings will be held behind closed doors before judge Abu Suffian Abu Yaziz.

Jamaluddin’s widow, Kalsom, 68, filed the suit against her children and mother-in-law in October 2018, to claim 20 of his properties in Malaysia, Makkah and the United States, as well as several of his companies, all of which are worth RM2.1 billion.

She had named her mother-in-law Aminah, and hers and Jamaluddin’s children – Ikwan Hafiz, Nur Anis, Nurul Alyaa, Noor Adilla – as the defendants.

As the wife of a male deceased, Kalsom is supposed to get one-eighth (faraid) of the deceased’s estate, while the mother of the deceased is entitled to one-sixth. The deceased’s children are to share the remainder of the estate.

However, Ikhwan Hafiz and Nur Anis, were given letters of administration by the civil high court in 2017 to manage the estate.

Nur Hidayah also confirmed that this will be the second round of discussions in search of a settlement, as the parties failed to reach an out-of-court settlement in September.

Jamaluddin, who was formerly Rompin MP and a cabinet minister, died aged 63 in a helicopter crash on April 4, 2015. He was one of six people killed in the incident. – July 2, 2024