KUALA LUMPUR – The sessions court here yesterday was shown several video recordings of the treatment given to residents who were allegedly treated like slaves by Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali.
The recordings showed a birthday celebration for Yasmin Nahar Mahmood, 19, who was then a resident of the home; Yasmin vacationing with Siti Bainun at a hotel, and one taken during a Hari Raya celebration.
In earlier proceedings, Yasmin, the fifth prosecution witness, said she had been treated like a slave by Siti Bainun while staying at the shelter.
Cross-examining Yasmin, Nur A’minahtul Mardiah Md Nor, the lawyer representing Siti Bainun, asked her if Siti Bainun treated her like a slave despite the footage showing otherwise
Yasmin replied: “Yes.”
The reply came during Nur A’minahtul’s cross-examination of the witness in defence of Siti Bainun, who is accused of neglecting and abusing a 13-year-old teenager with Down Syndrome only known as Bella.
Referring to the Hari Raya celebration video recorded on May 22, 2021,Yasmin agreed with Nur A’minahtul that Bella hugged Siti Bainun for a long time.
Nur A’minahtul: “Bella gave her abuser a long tight hug?”
Yasmin: “Yes.”
Nur A’minahtul: “So Bella wasn’t afraid of her abuser?”
Yasmin: “Yes.”
In yesterday’s proceedings, the defence listed 10 of Yasmin’s statements which were said to be lies and false statements.
Among them were that Bella’s legs had become weak after the frequent abuse – the video recording showed Bella could walk normally – and that she had been beaten with a clothing hanger until it broke; the defence noted that Yasmin was then at a shelter in Jitra, Kedah at the time of the incident.
Yasmin however denied that the statements she had given were false.
Earlier when questioned by another defence lawyer, Asiah Abdul Jalil, Yasmin said Siti Bainun had instructed her to apply medicine to the wounds on Bella’s body and the medicines were bought by the accused herself.
The witness agreed the medicines used on Bella included aloe vera moisturiser, iodine solution, wound spray, antiseptic solution, and wound dressing as shown in a photograph.
Siti Bainun, 30, is charged with two counts of neglecting and abusing the teen between February and June 2021, resulting in the victim sustaining physical and emotional injuries.
The trial before judge Izralizam Sanusi continues next Wednesday. – Bernama, April 15, 2022
