The Sessions Court here today ordered the founder of Rumah Bonda Siti Bainun Ahd Razali to defend herself on two charges. They are on neglecting and also abusing a teenage girl with Down syndrome who is also known as Bella. Judge Izralizam Sanusi made the decision after finding that the prosecution succeeded in proving a prima facie case against Siti Bainun, 30, at the end of the prosecution case.
Siti Bainun was charged with neglecting and mistreating a 13-year-old Down syndrome girl causing the victim to suffer physical and emotional injuries in a condominium unit in Wangsa Maju between the month of February and also June in the year 2021. It was in accordance with Section 31(1)(a) of the Children’s Act 2001 which brings a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment or a fine of RM50,000 or even both if convicted.
The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutors Nor Azizah Mohamad, Zilfinaz Abbas, Zahida Zakaria, Fazeedah Faik, and Shakira Aliana Alias while Siti Bainun was represented by lawyers Nur’Aminahtul Mardiah Md Nor, Mohammad Farhan Maaruf, Nurul Hafidzah Hassan, Asiah Abd Jalil, and Nur Ellena Mohamed Razif.
Also, Datuk Khairul Anwar Rahmat, Datuk Ikbal Salam, and Mohd Radzi Yatiman were appointed by the Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim as observer lawyers.
Sources: BERNAMA