A video of a father trying to take away his son from his wife has gone viral on social media since its release last night (28th September).
The video in question, which features Datuk SM Faizal SM Nasimuddin of Naza Group Malaysia, and his ex-wife, Datin Emilia Hanafi, was uploaded on Facebook by a user named Ashraf Borhann, which has since gained 1.4 million views. It is unsure if Borhann was the first to upload the video, but as at time of writing, the post has been deleted.
In his caption, he wrote, “This is wrong man. No kid should ever go through this ?”
At the start of the video, Datuk SM Faizal can be seen tying to pull/drag away his young son, who is wearing a pink shirt, from Datin Emilia, who is hugging him tightly. The clip is a messy affair, with many people surrounding the family and the child can be heard crying loudly. The 2nd half of the video shows Datin Emilia lying on the floor while Datuk SM Faizal tries to comfort his son.
Many netizens were quick to jump into the conclusion that Datuk SM Faizal is cruel, violent, and a “wife-beater”. The video was heavily shared on various forums, Facebook news outlets, and blogs.
If you’re curious about the incident, the video can still be found here.
According to Malaysiakini, the couple divorced in March, as Datin Emilia filed a lawsuit under the Penal Code (Kanun Keseksaan) section 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) against her ex-husband, claiming that he had beaten her on 22nd November 2015 at their home in Desa Sri Hartamas.
After the video went viral, the 37-year-old father took to Instagram to share his side of the story to 83,000 followers. Though his account is set to private, many of his followers have screen captured the posts, which consist of 3 parts, and shared it on social media.
“I’m not one to sensationalise my personal life and family matters to the public, but after the video went viral, (I) have received many comments from netizens, and I was called to explain what actually happened in the said incident (that happened in the video),” he wrote in the first paragraph.
(Screenshots are taken from Beautiful Nara)
Apparently, the Syariah court granted him the permission to bring his 3 sons home for only one day. But because his eldest was feeling under the weather, the court allowed him to stay with Datin Emilia.
“Her (Datin Emilia) family spited harsh words to my family and I. I did not respond to their comments as I went to court with the intention to see my 3 kids, whom I dearly missed. After the proceeding, my ex-wife was unwilling to let take my sons. This made my sons very scared and confused. Then, she suddenly fell on the floor while tightly hugging my son,” he continued.
He also added, “I did not act violent, instead, I begged my ex-wife to let me see my son as I hold his hands. Looking at my sons’ facial expressions, I knew I will not be able to bring them home that day.”
In the end, he was only able to bring his youngest son home. “I spent some time with him, brought him to see his cousins,” he said. The boy was returned to Datin Emilia the very next day, just as the court ordered.
“I hope the public and the media will stop exaggerating the event as this is a personal matter. (…) My family and I will continue to abide by the decision of the court. As a father, I only want to solve this matter quickly and fairly for the welfare and future of my children,” he concluded.
Our take? Nobody knows what had really happened for sure. Netizens shouldn’t jump to conclusion based on what they see on social media.
Sources: Oh Bulan, Beautiful Nara.
