KUALA LUMPUR: After allegedly enduring physical abuse for for 12 years, singer and actress Elliza Razak, 40, is relieved to have found the strength to leave her painful marriage.
A single mother of two since getting divorced in February, Elliza admitted in a recent news report that throughout her marriage, she was often a victim of domestic violence.
"To be honest, after enduring for 12 years, I feel very relieved. All this time, I have also been the one who supported the family."
She added: "The reason I started the divorce application process was because my former spouse threatened not to allow me to see the children."
Elliza divorced Khairul Adzwan Nasir at the Petaling Jaya Syariah Lower Court, Subang Bestari in February.
The former Akademi Fantasia 3 (AF3) contestant admitted that she was worried about the fate of her two children who witnessed her becoming a victim of domestic violence.
"I didn't file a police report at first. I didn't want him to be arrested. I thought about the children.
"But after the divorce, I filed a report so that he couldn't bother me and the children.
"During the iddah period, he beat me and our children saw it," said Elliza.
Elliza is the younger sister of 1980s pop star Ellina Razak, the singing partner of Anuar Zain during their preteen years as the duo Anuar & Ellina.
She has returned to singing and has a new single titled Urai written and composed by Iqie Hugh and Omar K.
"I'm doing what makes me happy again. I'm thankful to have met the right person to manage my artistic career," she said.