Malaysia prince sues Indonesia teen wife for libel

JAKARTA LIFE'S STYLE. A Malaysian prince sued his runaway Indonesian teen wife and mother-in-law Monday for claiming he had raped and tortured the teen during their yearlong marriage, his lawyer said.

Tengku Temenggong Tengku Mohammad Fakhry, a prince in northern Kelantan state, filed a defamation suit in the High Court seeking 105 million ringgit ($30 million) in damages from Manohara Odelia Pinot and her mother, said lawyer Mohamad Haaziq Pillay.

The 17-year-old Pinot, a well-known socialite, returned to Indonesia in May and told media that the 31-year-old Fakhry had slashed her with razor blades and treated her as a sex slave. She reportedly said she was held captive in her room and drugged whenever she complained.

She allegedly escaped while accompanying the state royal family on a trip to Singapore and filed a police report in Indonesia shortly afterward.

The scandal has captured widespread media attention in both Malaysia and Indonesia.

Fakhry's lawsuit accuses Pinot and her mother, Daisy Fajarina, of concocting the allegations "out of spite" and "motivated by a desire of financial gains," Mohamad Haaziq said.

"They have made my client out to be a monster and his reputation has been tarnished. My client is keen to get to the truth of the matter and clear his name," he told The Associated Press.

Pinot and her mother, who are in Indonesia, have 21 days to respond to the suit. If they don't, the case could go on in their absence.

"We can have judgment in default but they should come and defend themselves. This is the best forum for Manohara to seek justice instead of hiding behind the press and making baseless allegations," Mohamad Haaziq said.

Pinot married Fakhry last year after she turned 16. Her mother has said Pinot had been kidnapped.

Mohamad Haaziq said Fakhry has filed to divorce Pinot and the case will be heard in the Islamic Shariah court on Aug 2. The court handles family matters for Muslims. (Associate Press)