A 31-YEAR-OLD woman was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment by the Sessions Court in Seremban on Tuesday after being found guilty of physically abusing her 11-year-old daughter, causing visible injuries.
Sessions Court judge Datin Surita Budin imposed the sentence after taking into account the woman’s guilty plea, as well as submissions from both the prosecution and defence.
The court ordered the prison term to begin from the date of conviction. The accused was also directed to complete 120 hours of community service within six months after her release.
In addition, she was ordered to execute a good behaviour bond with a surety of RM1,000 and one guarantor. Failure to furnish the bond would result in a further two months’ imprisonment.
According to the charge, the accused, who had custody of the 11-year-old girl, abused the child, causing injuries to her head and right arm. The offence was committed at about 5.30am at a flat in Seremban on 29 October.
She was charged under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a penalty of a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both upon conviction.
Based on the case facts, the victim informed her teacher that she had been assaulted by her mother at home before being sent to school on the day of the incident.
It was revealed that the child was struck with a knife, sustaining injuries behind her ear lobe, before being pushed to the floor. Her face was allegedly stepped on, and she was later strangled with a green rope.
The assault was said to have been triggered after the child was accused of taking make-up from a room.
Earlier, Legal Aid Department counsel Hanis Anisah Jamiludin, representing the accused, said in mitigation that her client worked as a cashier, earned RM1,000 a month and had two children. She added that the accused’s husband worked as a security guard.
Hanis Anisah told the court that the accused suffered from mental illness, was dependent on medication and had a history of attempted suicide.
“The incident occurred due to the accused’s failure to control her anger towards the victim and she now regrets her actions and deeply misses her children,” she said.
“A lengthy prison sentence would further worsen her mental health and there is no guarantee that her condition would improve,” she added, noting that the accused’s family had given an undertaking to ensure she continued taking her medication and remained under supervision.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni, however, urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence, taking into account the accused’s role as a mother who should have protected her child.
“However, the accused abused the victim, causing physical injuries and long-term emotional impact,” she said. - December 16, 2025
