The parties were married on 24 October 2008 and had one child (born on 9 March 2010). After they married they lived with the plaintiff's parents in Padang until they separated. Initially, the marriage was harmonious. On 13 October 2010, however, the parties quarrelled when the plaintiff requested that the defendant purchase gold earrings for the parties' child, who was only six months old. The plaintiff submitted that the request caused the defendant to become angry, orally divorce the plaintiff, and immediately leave the matrimonial home. For the next four years the parties remained separated, during which time the defendant failed to provide for the plaintiff, nor did he leave behind any items of value that the plaintiff could sell to provide herself with financial assistance. Moreover, the plaintiff did not know of the defendant's whereabouts. The plaintiff requested that the court grant her an irrevocable divorce (talak satu bain sughra).
The court, pursuant to art 19(b) of Government Regulation No. 9 of 1975, and art 116(b) of the Compilation of Islamic Laws, acceded to the plaintiff's request on the grounds that the parties had been separated for more than two years.