Director-actor Syamsul Yusof has refused to divorce his first wife, Puteri Sarah Liyana, reports mStar – The Star’s Malay-language portal.

He stated this through his lawyer during the first mention of Puteri Sarah’s divorce application at the Syariah Lower Court in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (March 7).

The couple appeared before syarie judge Akmalludin Ilyas.

The 38-year-old Mat Kilau director was represented by syarie lawyer Rushdan Sujak, while plaintif Puteri Sarah was represented by her lawyer, Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader.

With both parties unable to reach an agreement, the judge ordered them to appoint a conciliatory committee (JPK) in their divorce case.

Puteri Sarah, 37, filed the divorce application on Jan 16 citing that there was no more understanding and prolonged shiqaq (disagreement) between her and Syamsul, and they could no longer live together as husband and wife according to Syariah law.

“This is due to pressure or interference caused by a third party or the defendant’s affair that he has not returned to the matrimonial home for a long time,” she added.

Syamsul married Ira Kazar in Thailand in January, stating that Puteri Sarah is legally still his wife.

According to the actress, the request for divorce application was made in accordance with Section 47 of the Islamic Family Law Act (Federal Territories) 1984.

Last week, Puteri Sarah said that she hoped things would end smoothly with the court hearing on Tuesday.

“I hope to be released from this (situation) so I can move on. I also hope that the court will rule in my favour.”

Puteri Sarah and Syamsul were married on March 8, 2014 and have two children, Shaikul Islam, six, and Sumayyah, four.