AN assistant officer for Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Social Welfare Department said 13-year-old Bella, a Down’s syndrome girl at the centre of a child abuse case, was a sexual abuse victim before temporary custody was given to Siti Bainun Ahd Razali.

Mohamad Imran Mohamed Zanyuin, 35, said that he was shocked because this was the first time he had heard the issue of sexual abuse raised by the defence.

The 12th prosecution witness said this during cross-examination by lawyer Nur A’minahtul Mardiah Md Nor, who represented Siti Bainun before Sessions Court Judge Izralizam Sanusi.

The witness also disagreed with the lawyer’s suggestion that an ‘ustaz’ or ‘pakcik’ at Bella’s previous residence had attacked her.

Nur A’minahtul Mardiah: During the recording (investigation) at the Children’s Interview Centre (CIC), Bella mentioned an ‘ustaz’.

Imran: I don’t know.

Nur A’minahtul Mardiah: Every time Bella sees an individual resembling a ‘pakcik’ or ‘ustaz’... Bella will cover her private parts with both hands, do you know about this?

Imran: I don’t know (about that).

He also disagreed with the lawyer’s suggestion that it had been recommended that Siti Bainun  be given permanent custody of Bella, due to prior sexual abuse.

In previous proceedings, Imran said that the Children’s Magistrate’s Court allowed a temporary custody order to be given to Siti Bainun from July 14 to September 20, 2020, while the right of permanent custody began from September 24, 2020.

According to him, Bella was previously placed at Taman Sinar Harapan Tuanku Ampuan Najihah Seremban from 2011 to 2020, before Siti Bainun took care of the teenager.

Siti Bainun, 30, faces two charges of neglecting and abusing the girl, resulting in physical and emotional trauma.

She is accused of committing the acts at a condominium in Wangsa Maju between February and June 2021, under section 31 (1) (a) of the Children Act 2001, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment or a fine of RM50,000 or both, if convicted.

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