'I have to fight for myself in unsafe marriage' - Zahnita
Those were the words of former model and actress Zahnita Dorothy Hussein Wilson, who has resolved to proceed with a divorce from her husband, Abdul Zackery Ghouse Abdul Gafor following an unending marital crisis.
KUANTAN – "I will continue to be under pressure if I remain under the same roof that is no longer safe."
Those were the words of former model and actress Zahnita Dorothy Hussein Wilson, who has resolved to proceed with a divorce from her husband, Abdul Zackery Ghouse Abdul Gafor, 47, following an unending marital crisis.
Zahnita, 40, said the decision was made for the sake of her children's well-being and to preserve her own mental health, which had been deteriorating due to the toxic home environment.
"I want to proceed with the divorce for the sake of the children.
"Staying under the same roof that is no longer safe is not good, not only for them (the children) but also for myself.
"I have endured long enough under a roof that is falling apart. I have to fight for myself because this situation is truly unsafe,” she said when met after the court proceedings at the Kuantan Syariah Court on Friday.
During the court session, three cases were brought up: a divorce application, an injunction request to prevent harassment and a custody application covering visitation and overnight stays for the children.
Zahnita, who once starred in the film Gila-Gila Pengantin Remaja, said that although her husband expressed a wish for the children to be raised by both parents, it would not be beneficial if the environment does not sufficiently foster emotional stability.
“My husband said he wants the children to be with both mother and father, but if we are together in an environment filled with emotional turmoil and mental stress, that is not safe for them.
“The happiness of a mother is the happiness of the family. If the mother is depressed, under pressure, and unhappy, the children will feel the same,” she added.
Commenting on allegations made by a former business partner, Zahnita stressed that all accusations should be backed with solid evidence.
“If they want to make accusations, they should show proof. I have never attacked anyone, and I have no intention to retaliate.
"All I want is freedom for myself,” she clarified.
Meanwhile, Abdul Zackery expressed hope that all issues troubling their marriage could be resolved amicably for the sake of their children’s future.
While the case is still ongoing and many details cannot be disclosed, he further emphasised that his main priority is ensuring the children’s welfare remains protected.
“Everything I’m fighting for is for the children. They are my strength right now,” he said briefly. Last year, on December 2, Zahnita revealed a photo of her bruised left eye on Instagram, claiming she had been assaulted by her husband, whom she also accused of infidelity.
Following that, on December 4, 2024, Abdul Zackery was charged at the Kuantan Magistrates' Court with two counts of domestic violence and drug-related offences.
However, Abdul Zackery pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Fearing the prospect of potential assault and injury, Zahnita later filed for divorce from her husband at the Kuantan Lower Syariah Court on December 3 last year, represented by a syarie lawyer from Asyikin Partners.
On December 6, she was granted temporary custody rights over their four children by the Kuantan High Syariah Court.
In March, the court dismissed abuse allegations against Abdul Zackery involving their children, simultaneously granting him visitation and overnight rights.
The couple, who married in 2005, have four children: Zahrafeena, 18, Zasharayna Ghouse, 13, Zahlia Syawwal, 8, and Abd Zayden Ghouse, 4.
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