NURULHIDAYAH Ahmad Zahid said her family does not have links to Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali, who is facing charges of abusing a child with Down syndrome. 

The daughter of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said she no longer has ties with Siti Bainun, even though they had met previously.

“It is true we have known and met (before). As someone who used to be close to her, I feel betrayed because all this time, (Siti Bainun) whom I consider someone who helps other people, actually has another personality that I couldn’t have imagined,” the daughter of the Bagan Datuk MP posted on Facebook.

Siti Bainun, 30, is charged with two counts of neglecting and abusing a teenager with Down syndrome, known as Bella.

She pleaded not guilty to abusing Bella, who suffered physical and emotional injuries.

Siti Bainun allegedly committed the offences at a condominium in Wangsa Maju between February and June 2021.

She is charged 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, if found guilty.

Meanwhile, in another Facebook post, Nurulhidayah dismissed accusations that Zahid had channelled donations to Rumah Bonda. 

“My family, or specifically, my father, is accused of channelling funds to RB (Rumah Bonda). 

“I think the accusation is unfair because RB was set up by itself and anyone can channel donations to RB as charity to the house,” she said. 

She also rejected claims from some social media users who say that the name of Rumah Bonda is linked to her mother. 

Social media posts condemning Siti Bainun and urging justice for the abused teenager have been trending with the hashtag #justiceforbella. 

Nurulhidayah said the residents of Rumah Bonda called Siti Bainun “bonda”, which means mother. 

Nurulhidayah also said some people are using the ongoing issue to tarnish her father Zahid’s reputation.

On Sunday, Zahid denied claims that he was protecting Siti Bainun. 

“It is regrettable that people are trying to link me to the case, accusing me of trying to protect the accused, and that it was because of me that she had 10 lawyers on her defence team.

“I am in no way protecting anyone if they are accused of being involved in a crime,” Zahid posted on Facebook. – April 19, 2022.