IF YOU are destined to be together, that's what will happen.

Even though an elderly Malaysian couple - Mr Shamsuddin Ngah Samat, 72, and Madam Umi Rais, 70 - were separated for 53 years, they were reunited in marriage recently.

Their wedding was a simple ceremony at the bride's house near Kampung Gajah in Perak last Sunday, reported Harian Metro.

Mr Shamsuddin said they were teenage sweethearts. They even got engaged he was only 19 years old.

"But our engagement lasted only four months. Then I met another woman who became my wife," he said.

His wife died in March this year.

He added: "Maybe we were not fated to be together then. I married my first wife but we were not blessed with any children."

After his marriage, Mr Shamsuddin and Madam Umi went separate ways. She met another man and also got married.

Mr Shamsuddin, who moved to Sabak Bernam in Selangor, said: "I still return to my hometown. Umi is still living here.

"When our spouses were still alive, we greeted each other only when we bumped into each other.

"So I really did not expect that after being separated for 53 years, fate would bring us back together again and this time as husband and wife.

"I'm happy that our family members were supportive of our marriage."

Madam Umi thought it was fated that her engagement to Mr Shamsuddin ended and she decided to move on.

"But I was surprised that our love is still there, even though we have been apart for 53 years," said the mother of three children from her previous marriage.

"I never expected that I would tie the knot again after my husband died about four years ago.

"When Shamsuddin came to ask for my hand in marriage, I didn't hesitate to accept."