RUMAH Bonda resident Yasmin Nahar Mahmood today denied the defence’s allegation she was paid to falsely testify during the trial of the home’s 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 prosecution witness said this when cross-examined by Siti Bainun’s lawyer, Nur A’minahtul Mardiah Md Nor at the trial before Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Izralizam Sanusi.

Nur A’minahtul: You were paid by Justice For Bella, as seen by several individuals before this court through your father, last Friday?

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: Do you agree with me that you are afraid of being charged in court later?

Yasmin: No.

Nur A’minahtul: 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 towards the teenager, Yasmin said no.

In past 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: I suggest Siti Bainun’s weight is 150kg. If she stomped on Bella’s knee, it can be broken or fractured, but the medical report stated that Bella’s knee was neither broken nor fractured. Did you know that? 

Yasmin: I didn’t know. 

Yasmin agreed with the lawyer’s suggestion that Bella would stand on the corner everyday on Siti Bainun’s instructions.

Nur A’minahtul suggested that if Bella was told to stand all the time, the teenager would experience knee inflammation and she could not move her legs.

Yasmin replied, “I don’t know.”

A video clip of how Bella was found by the complainant of the case, namely the 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 a minor.

Yasmin later agreed that Bella never mentioned Siti Bainun’s name or her nickname in the video.

Yasmin then agreed with the lawyer’s suggestion that in the video, Zurianty, or better known as “Mommy”, had asked Bella who tied up the teenager and Bella replied: “Shomin.”

Nur A’minahtul: You said everyone was surprised because Mommy Zu (Zurianty) suddenly came and then made a recording.

Yasmin: Yes.

Nur A’minahtul: So, when Bella mentioned Shomin, that was spontaneous?

Yasmin: Yes.

In an earlier testimony, Yasmin told the court that Shomin was a reference to herself.

Meanwhile, Yasmin said Bella did not react when drinking the Softlan fabric softener.

“There was no (reaction). She just drank, then she went quiet,” said the witness.

Yasmin disagreed with the lawyer’s suggestion that all the stories about Bella eating chillies and rice mixed with vinegar were compiled from Facebook.

Siti Bainun, 30, had claimed trial to two charges of neglecting and abusing the teenager to the point of the victim suffering injuries and also emotionally.

The offences were allegedly committed at a condominium in Wangsa Maju, between February and June last year.

The charges, under section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, carry a jail sentence of up to 20 years, a fine of RM50,000 or both.

The trial continues tomorrow. – Bernama, April 20, 2022.