KUALA LUMPUR – Siti Bainun Ahd Razali, founder of the Rumah Bonda welfare home, was today charged at the sessions court here with neglecting a 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome.
She pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before judge Izralizam Sanusi.
Siti Bainun, 29, was charged in her capacity as a person having care of the child.
She is alleged to have neglected the girl in a manner likely to cause the child physical or emotional injury.
The offence was purportedly committed at a condominium unit in Wangsa Maju here between February and June.
The charge, under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000, or imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.
The court granted Siti Bainun bail at RM12,000 with one surety, and ordered her not to intimidate the witness.
She was also instructed to surrender her passport to the court and report herself at the nearest police station.
Deputy public prosecutors Noor Shakira Aliana Alias and Rosidah Abu Bakar prosecuted, while lawyer Nur Aminahtul Mardiah Md Nor represented Siti Bainun.
The court set October 4 for mention. – Bernama, August 20, 2021
