Author : Marcelino Kwan03 May 2023

A 78-year-old Laura Ashley boss must give his 70-year-old ex-wife £64million, a divorce court judge has ruled.

Former Miss Malaysia beauty queen Pauline Chai wanted around £100m from ex-husband Khoo Kay Peng following the breakdown of their 42-year marriage.

Dr Khoo, non-executive chairman of Laura Ashley Holdings, said she should pocket about £9m.

After analysing the evidence at the trial at the High Court in London, Mr Justice Bodey announced his decision today that Ms Chai should get a £64m package made up of cash and property.

Ayesha Vardag, Ms Chai’s lawyer said after Court, ‘This litigation has been long and arduous.It is a journey which has now ended in the affirmation of the principle of fair sharing. 

‘It emphasises that there is no place in England for discrimination between home maker and bread winner. I am so proud of the whole team including our client who worked so hard on this case.’

Ms Chai added: ‘ I just want to thank my superb legal team – everyone at Vardags, Richard Todd QC and Nicholas Yates.Thank you.’

Ms Chai, who lives in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, had said she should get half an asset kitty totalling at least £205m.

Ms Chai and Dr Khoo – who both come from Malaysia, married in 1970 and have five children – have spent more than £6m between them on lawyers since splitting, judges have heard. 

The pair had been unable to agree on whether decisions about who got what should be made in English or Malaysian courts, and litigation was launched in both countries.

Dr Khoo, who is based in Malaysia, said the marital home was in Malaysia and a judge in that country should make decisions about the division of money.

He said Ms Chai was a ‘forum shopper’ and wanted to fight in England because an English judge would give her a more generous award.

Ms Chai, who was Miss Malaysia in 1969, said they had moved their home to Berkhamsted before separating and therefore decisions should be made in an English court. 

In December 2015, Ms Chai claimed victory in the fight over jurisdiction following a ruling by three Court of Appeal judges in London. 

Mr Justice Bodey’s detailed ruling on who gets what is expected to be published in the near future.

He had analysed the case at a private hearing but said journalists could name Dr Khoo and Ms Chai and report some information.

The judge has barred reporters from revealing confidential financial material.

<div class="art-ins mol-factbox news" data-version="2" id="mol-0ce1b7a0-1aed-11e7-9b80-af6d1b08b9de" website Ashley boss, 78, is ordered to give his wife, 70, £64million