KUALA LUMPUR – Rumah Bonda resident Yasmin Nahar Mahmood today denied the defence’s allegation that she was paid to give false testimony in court during the trial of Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali, who is accused of neglecting and abusing Bella, a 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome.
The 19-year-old fifth prosecution witness said this when cross-examined by Nur A’minahtul Mardiah Md Nor, the lawyer representing Siti Bainun, at the trial of the case before sessions court judge Izralizam Sanusi.
Nur A’minahtul Mardiah: “Were you paid by ‘Justice for Bella’, as seen by several individuals before this court through your father last Friday (April 15)?”
Yasmin: “No.”
Yasmin also denied that she had been lying from the first day she testified in court because she wanted Siti Bainun to be put in jail.
Nur A’minahtul Mardiah: “You are afraid that you will be charged in court later, do you agree?”
Yasmin: “No.”
Nur A’minahtul Mardiah: “Some people said to you that if you do not fight Siti Bainun, you can be imprisoned for 20 years. Do you agree?”
Yasmin: “No.”
When asked if she envied Bella because Siti Bainun paid more attention to the teenager, Yasmin said no.
During previous proceedings, Yasmin told the court that Siti Bainun stomped on Bella’s knee. When asked by the lawyer today how many times it happened, the witness said she was unsure.
Nur A’minahtul Mardiah: “I suggest that given Siti Bainun’s weight is 150 kg, if she stomped on Bella’s knee, it would be broken or fractured, but the medical report stated that Bella’s knee was not broken or fractured. Did you know this or not?”
Yasmin: “I did not know that.”
Yasmin agreed with the lawyer’s suggestion that Bella would stand on the corner every day on Siti Bainun’s instructions.
Nur A’minahtul Mardiah also suggested that if Bella was told to stand all the time, the teenager would experience knee inflammation and would not be able to move her legs.
Yasmin: “I don’t know about that.”
A video clip of how Bella was found by the complainant of the case, namely first prosecution witness Zurianty Sudin, 39, was played in court.
However, the public and reporters were ordered to exit the courtroom as the victim is an underaged girl.
Yasmin later agreed that Bella never mentioned Siti Bainun's name or her nickname in the video.
Yasmin also agreed with the lawyer’s suggestion that in the video, Zurianty, better known as “Mommy”, had asked Bella who tied up the teenager and Bella replied: “Shomin”.
Nur A’minahtul Mardiah: “You said everyone was surprised because Mummy Zu (Zurianty) suddenly came and then made a recording?”
Yasmin: “Yes.”
Nur A’minahtul Mardiah: “So, when Bella mentioned ‘Shomin’, that was spontaneous?”
Yasmin: “Yes.”
In an earlier testimony, Yasmin told the court that “Shomin” referred to herself.
Meanwhile, Yasmin said Bella did not react when drinking Softlan fabric softener.
“There was no (reaction). She just drank, then she went quiet,” said the witness, who later agreed with the lawyer’s suggestion that Downy fabric softener was used in the house, not Softlan.
Yasmin disagreed with the lawyer’s suggestion that all the stories about Bella eating chillies and rice mixed with vinegar were compiled from stories on Facebook.
Siti Bainun, 30, had pleaded not guilty to two charges of neglecting and abusing the teenager to the point of the victim suffering physical and emotional injuries.
The offences were allegedly committed at a condominium in Wangsa Maju here between February and June 2021, under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a jail sentence of up to 20 years or a fine of RM50,000 or both, upon conviction.
The trial continues tomorrow. – Bernama, April 20, 2022
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