#SHOWBIZ: Raja Azura 'hints' at ex-husband: Show up and take responsibility

New Straits Times

4 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Actress and host, Raja Azura, affectionately known as Kak Engku, 52, clarified that her recent remarks on the 'Morning Morning Suria' segment on Suria FM were primarily about sharing her personal experiences.
Earlier this morning, Kak Engku, appearing as a guest radio presenter alongside Ajak Shiro and Kai Hassan, discussed the topic: 'Is it still relevant for only men to be providers these days?' with the radio station's listeners.
Elaborating on the discussion, Kak Engku, whose full name is Raja Azura Tengku Ahmad Tajudin, observed that many married women nowadays are the primary 'providers' for their children and families.
"Although the intention might simply be to help their husbands, it can be seen as giving men room to take advantage of their wives, though not all men are like that," she said.
"From my own experience, I have been providing for myself and my children for 17 years. So, to the men out there who are married or have divorced their partners, please take responsibility.
"What I'm saying is also based on religious law. It's a fact that men, whether married or divorced, are responsible for their children in various aspects.
"Whether it's child support, love, attention, and so on, men can't just abandon their responsibilities. Children are a trust from God for us as parents," she told Harian Metro.
When asked if her statement was a 'message' directed at her ex-husband, Raja Azura did not deny it, saying that the time had come for her to speak out to the parties involved.
"From the topic discussed, I actually gave a 'hint' to my ex-husband so that he would come forward and fulfil the responsibilities he hasn't been fulfilling for our children.
"The time has come for him to step up and take on that responsibility (as a father). I also hold no grudge against him; I have forgiven him and made everything permissible because the children are all grown up.
"Two of our children are now pursuing degrees at university, and another is in the middle of a diploma at university as well. I have raised them myself until now using the money I earned from my hard work.
"During the divorce, my ex-husband didn't see the children at all. But now I hope he can fulfil his responsibilities as a father. This is religious law, and he should do it for the children," she said.
According to Kak Engku, she and the children still reside at the same address, which is known to her ex-husband, and he is welcome to visit the children at any time.
"If he (ex-husband) has any reservations about contacting me directly to see the children, he can contact my cousin, who is also my manager. He knows my cousin as well.
"For 17 years, I kept quiet and didn't talk about it because I was afraid of hurting my children's feelings. But I've spoken to my children, and they allowed me to share this," she said.
Kak Engku was previously married to Adzmin Osman, son of former Kedah Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Osman Aroff, in March 2001.
They were legally divorced on Sept 28, 2010. They have three children together: Megat Muhammad Raziq, 23, Megat Luqman Hakim, 22, and Puteri Mia Maizura, 20.