PETALING JAYA, Aug 5 — Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng’s estranged wife has accused the “very controlling” retail and hotel tycoon of rationing her food and forbidding her from leaving their house without his permission.

Pauline Chai was yesterday reported by British tabloid Daily Mail as saying that Khoo (picture), who owns 40 per cent of international brand Laura Ashley, had treated her like a “servant” on their 1,000-acre estate in Hertfordshire, north of Greater London.

“I felt controlled and isolated,” the former beauty queen was quoted as saying.

“But now I feel happy. During our marriage, he was very controlling, but now I feel different. I feel very free,” added the 66-year-old.

Chai filed a divorce petition in London last February against Khoo, who is Malaysia’s 40th richest man, according to the Forbes 2012 list of Malaysia’s wealthiest, citing unreasonable behaviour.

The Miss Malaysia 1969 beauty queen is seeking half of Khoo’s fortune. Lawyers reportedly said that Chai could be awarded up to £500 million (RM2.5 billion) — the largest divorce settlement in UK history.

Chai reportedly said that she had once received an email from his staff stating that she could only spend £50 on food.

“‘It said fruits were allowed and vegetables were allowed, but I wasn’t allowed to eat certain things that I wanted,” she said.

“My daughter said to me that I was being treated like a servant. I think she nailed it,” Chai added.

Chai is pushing for the divorce case to be heard in the UK, while Khoo — who runs international investment holding company Malayan United Industries Bhd — wants it heard in Malaysia.

“‘I love England and everything English,” Chai was quoted as saying.

“I’ve been living here for years. I want English justice because it is fair. That’s all I’m asking for.”

Chai’s lawyer, Ayesha Vardag, was quoted as saying that the English courts would share out the couple’s assets on “the basis of fairness”, whereas the Malaysian courts would “give Pauline much less”.

Laura Ashley, a clothing and interior firm, has annual sales of £286 million.

Khoo, 74, also holds directorship in Corus Hotels Limited in the UK.

Khoo and Chai have five grown-up children after marrying in 1970.

Their £30 million sprawling estate reportedly has two custom-built lakes that cost £60,000 each and a collection of exotic animals, such as alpacas.

Chai was quoted as saying that since their estrangement, she and Khoo live in separate mansions on their estate with each having their own team of Gurkha guards.

She reportedly stays in the main 15-bedroom house, while Khoo lives in a five-bedroom manor house nearby.