Actor-director Syamsul Yusof said he didn't marry his second wife Ira Kazar because she bewitched him.

He added that he disagreed with his mother, Datin Patimah Ismail, who believes that Ira has cast a spell over Syamsul.

“Mum said that I was bewitched and several other things. ... People are saying that Ira is the one who cast the spell over me.

“No! I made the choice to get married and take a second wife. I am a man, and I prayed for guidance (solat Istikharah). It’s not Ira who disturbed (my marriage), it’s not like that. I made that decision,” Syamsul said at a meet with media on Wednesday (March 22), which was attended by mStar – The Star’s Malay-language portal.

Another thing he said he disagreed with Patimah is to give a divorce to his first wife, Puteri Sarah Liyana – something that Patimah wishes for her daughter-in-law, judging by her posts on Instagram.

Syamsul added that if it was required by the Islamic law for him to ask a mother’s permission to get married, he would do it then.

“I understand (mum) is very upset, and she’s hurt by what I have done. But I hope she won’t share those feelings on social media.

“I have already chosen Ira (to be my wife). Perhaps mum wants me to divorce Puteri Sarah, but I am unable to do so. I am sorry,” he said.

The 38-year-old added that he doesn’t mind that his own mother is taking the side of his first wife. He only hopes that their relationship will heal over time.

To recap, Syamsul and Puteri Sarah got married on March 8, 2014 and have two children aged six and five.

On Jan 6, the Mat Kilau director revealed that he married Ira Kazar in Thailand, and that she is his second wife.

On Jan 16, Puteri Sarah filed for divorce from Syamsul on the grounds that there was no more understanding between them, and that they could no longer live together as husband and wife according to the Syariah law.

On March 7, the date of mention in Syariah court, Syamsul had objected to the divorce application and stated through his lawyer that he felt there was still hope for the two of them to reconcile.

On March 21, Syamsul filed a nusyuz (disobedient) application at the Gombak Timur Syariah Lower Court against Puteri Sarah.

On March 22, Puteri Sarah filed a full custody (hadanah) claim for her two children, aged six and four, at the Syariah High Court at Kuala Lumpur.