Wife denies claims of involvement in Singaporean actor’s detainment for ‘close proximity’ with Malaysian actress

Malaysian singer-actress Bella Astillah and her husband, Singaporean actor Aliff Aziz. Photo from Astillah's Instagram

During a local TV program appearance, Astillah, 30, voiced her shock at her husband’s detention and underscored her strong friendship with Ruhainies, as reported by The Straits Times.

"Everyone knows I am good friends with that actress," she stated. "Why would I plan to catch them? I myself was shocked."

Aziz, 33, and Ruhainies, 31, were detained at a condominium in Kuala Lumpur on March 9 by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) officials, facing charges of khalwat. This term refers to the condition when a female and a male, who are not married to each other nor related by blood, are discovered together in a secluded space.

They were subsequently let out on bail.

Both Aziz and Ruhainies addressed the public about the occurrence on March 14, with the Malaysian actress disclosing that she had invited Aziz over to her condominium for a meal with her siblings. Yet, due to her elder sister getting delayed in a traffic congestion, she arrived later than expected, which resulted in Ruhainies and Aziz being alone momentarily, she explained.

She affirmed that no evidence of khalwat involving her and Aziz was discovered by the authorities and urged the public to avoid propagating unfounded rumors.

Echoing her sentiment, Aziz stated that the seriousness of the situation had been exaggerated. He expressed regret, noting it would have been wiser of him to remain in the building’s lobby rather than inside Ruhainies’ residence.

The Star reported that Astillah is proceeding with a divorce in the wake of these events.

Parents to two children, Astillah and Aziz tied the knot in 2016 and underwent a separation in 2019 following accusations of the actor’s extramarital affairs, only to reconcile in 2020.