Welfare home founder charged with mistreating Down syndrome girl

The founder of the Rumah Bonda welfare home, Siti Bainun Ahd Razali, was again charged at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur, this time with mistreating a 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome.

Siti Bainun, 29, pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read out to her before judge Izralizam Sanusi.

She was charged as a person having care of the child with mistreating the girl in a manner likely to have caused her physical and emotional injury.

She was accused of committing the offence at a condominium unit in Wangsa Maju between February and June this year.

The charge, framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, carries a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.

On Aug 20, Siti Bainun pleaded not guilty to a charge of neglecting the girl in a manner likely to have caused her physical and emotional injuries at the same location and within the same time frame.

The court allowed her bail of RM5,000 with one surety and ordered her to not to intimidate the witness.

It also told her to surrender her passport and to report to the nearest police station.

The court set 15 days for the trial beginning March 30 next year.

Deputy public prosecutor Noor Shakira Aliana Alias appeared for the prosecution, while Siti Bainun was represented by lawyers Farhan Maaruf and Nur Aminahtul Mardiah Md Nor.