Rumah Bonda founder told to enter defence on charges of neglect, abuse

Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali was today ordered by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to enter her defence against charges of neglecting and abusing a 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome known as Bella.

Judge Izralizam Sanusi made the order after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against Siti Bainun at the end of its case.

Siti Bainun, 30, had pleaded not guilty to charges of neglecting and abusing the teenager to the extent that the girl suffered physical and emotional injuries, in a condominium unit in Wangsa Maju between February and June 2021.

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

The prosecution was represented by deputy public prosecutors Nor Azizah Mohamad, Zilfinaz Abbas, Zahida Zakaria, Fazeedah Faik and Shakira Aliana Alias, while lawyers Nur' Aminahtul Mardiah Md Nor, Mohammad Farhan Maaruf, Nurul Hafidzah Hassan, Asiah Abd Jalil and Nur Ellena Mohamed Razif represented Siti Bainun.

Also present were lawyers Khairul Anwar Rahmat, Ikbal Salam and Mohd Radzi Yatiman who were appointed by the Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to hold a watching brief.