KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 8): A London court has granted former Miss Malaysia Puan Sri Pauline Chai's divorce application from tycoon Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng after a three year-long battle for their £440 million fortune (RM2.8 billion).

Judge Stephen Alderson yesterday granted a decree nisi, which marks the end date of the 43-year marriage following a hearing in the Central Family Court in London, reported UK news portal Mail Online.

The report stated that the ruling meant the financial assets would be divided according to English law.

Chai and Khoo did not attend the hearing but Chai was represented by lawyers.

It was previously reported that Khoo stood to lose half his fortune in the divorce if the matter was decided in Chai's favour by the British courts.

It was reported that in October 2014, a High Court judge ruled that proceedings launched in England by Chai could continue.

In June last year, the Malaysian Court of Appeal ruled that the divorce hearing could be heard in Malaysia.

The court, in stating that the common law rule on domicile was still applicable in Malaysia, also dismissed Chai's appeal on the jurisdiction issue – whether to have a Malaysian or English court hear the divorce petition.

Chai is fighting to prevent Malaysian courts from determining the couple's divorce, as she stood to receive  less in matrimonial properties and other benefits if the matter was decided according to the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 in Malaysia.

Khoo is the chairman of international investment holding company Malayan United Industries that is primarily engaged in retailing, hotels, food and confectionery, financial services and properties.

Besides a 40% stake in Laura Ashley that has annual sales of £286 million, the 75-year-old multimillionaire is also a director of Corus Hotels Limited in the UK.