KUALA LUMPUR – Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has questioned the deafening silence from politicians regarding the alleged abuse of a special needs child by the founder of the Rumah Bonda welfare home in the southern state.
The welfare home came under the spotlight after authorities charged its founder, Siti Bainun Ahd Razali, for neglecting and abusing a 13-year-old child named Bella.
In an Instagram story posted yesterday, the Johor royal asked where the human rights activists and politicians alike had disappeared to, even questioning if they had vested interests in the Rumah Bonda welfare home.
“Is it because it involves Rumah Bonda? Are these few (welfare) houses being used by certain parties for illegal money laundering and human trafficking?” he said in the post.
“Both sides seem silent,” he said, adding the #justiceforbella hashtag at the end.
Tunku Ismail has been among the more vocal personalities over the ongoing child abuse trial of Bella and had even hired four lawyers to hold watching briefs on proceedings.
The crown prince also held discussions with Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun where he proposed three measures to the government aimed at preventing the recurrence of abuse cases.
Among the improvements proposed were amendments to the Child Act 2001, for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) to audit all existing approved childcare centres and to immediately shut down unregistered centres or those operating illegally in the state.
Bella’s case went viral on social media last year when a woman claimed in a post that the child was scalded by hot water and was tied, while under the care of Rumah Bonda.
The trial had become a topic of debate by social media users, compelling sessions court judge Izralizam Sanusi to issue a warning to the public against making statements about the ongoing trial.
Izralnizam had also advised against commenting on Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun. – The Vibes, April 26, 2022
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