KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Attempts at a reconciliation between Ms Nurul Izzah Anwar and her husband Raja Ahmad Shahrir Iskandar Raja Salim failed as she insisted on pressing ahead with the divorce, according to a reconciliation committee report.

Ms Nurul Izzah, an MP for the constituency of Lembah Pantai in Kuala Lumpur, is the eldest daughter of Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. She is hugely popular among middle class liberals for her strong multiracial image, and is seen as a potential national leader.

The couple were married on May 9, 2003 and have two children, a seven-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy. In late December last year, the PKR vice-president filed a divorce petition against her husband at the lower Syariah Court.

In the report, read out in the Court by Judge Ab Malek Awang on Thursday, Ms Nurul Izzah's representative Rosli Ibrahim said efforts to reconcile the couple turned futile as she wanted to proceed with the divorce.

Ms Nurul Izzah was at the courthouse, together with her counsel Normawaddah Ramli and Mr Raja Ahmad's counsel Zulkifli Che Yong.

Mr Raja Ahmad, 35, was not present during Thursday's proceedings.

The report stated that conflict between Mr Raja Ahmad and Ms Nurul Izzah, 34, started in 2005.

Ms Nurul Izzah who was the plaintiff, became stressed where she left her matrimonial home to live apart on Apr 17.

Mr Raja Ahmad's representative Mohd Fauzi Mustaffa said there was still a chance for reconciliation.

The report further stated that the next course of action was up to the Court, without any room for reconciliation as both parties were standing their ground.

Judge Ab Malek later fixed Aug 7 for mention on whether the Court would appoint hakam (arbitrators) for the duo or to continue with other rulings.

The judge also instructed the reconciliation committee report be given to the couple.

"The defendant must be present on Aug 7 to enable us to proceed with the case," he added.