A SINGAPOREAN woman pleaded not guilty to abusing an autistic child at the Sessions Court in Ampang, Selangor, today.

Sharifah Mazlan is accused of abusing the 6-year-old child at an autism intervention centre, where she is a teacher, in Bandar Baru Ampang at 10am on October 1.

Sharifah, 51, was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or up to 20 years’ jail, or both, if found guilty.

Deputy public prosecutor Suriantiazila Muhamad did not offer bail because the accused is a foreign national.

“If the court allows bail, then the prosecution proposes a high amount along with additional conditions.”

Sharifah’s lawyer, Samry Masri, urged the court to allow bail as his client has a family, including three children of her own.

“Although the accused is a foreign national, she has been married to a local since 1998. Her husband is from Perak.

“Her three children, aged 17, 19 and 21, are Malaysians, and two are autistic,” he said, adding that Sharifah and her family have been living in Ampang for the past 20 years.

Judge Norhazani Hamzah set bail at RM13,000 with one surety, and ordered the accused to present herself at the nearest police station once a month and for her passport to be impounded.

December 9 has been fixed for case mention.

Sharifah also pleaded not guilty to overstaying by nine months at the magistrates’ court today.

She was charged under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and can be fined up to RM10,000 and jailed up to five years, or both, if found guilty.

Magistrate Nur Maizan Rahim allowed bail at RM5,000 with two sureties and fixed December 9 for case mention. – Bernama, October 13, 2021.