RUMAH Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali told the Sessions Court today that she had never stomped on or kicked Bella’s stomach while the teenager with Down’s Syndrome was in her care.

Siti Bainun, 31, said an examination carried out by Dr Meenambigai PK Sevarajah at the Emergency and Trauma Department of Kuala Lumpur Hospital found that Bella’s lungs, abdomen and legs were in good and normal condition.

“Bella is very, very healthy. She does not have asthma or any illness. This finding shows that I have never stepped on and kicked her stomach, or ordered her to stand for long periods, and the abuses that the prosecution witnesses fabricated had never happened. In fact, Bella’s legs were reported to not be swollen,” she said when reading her witness statement on the second day of her defence trial before judge Izralizam Sanusi.

Siti Bainun said the bite marks on Bella’s stomach were caused by a fight between the girl and a former resident of Rumah Bonda known as Balqis over a facial wash.

She said after both girls bit each other, she rubbed “minyak gamat” (sea cucumber ointment) and applied cream on the bite marks, saying that Bella and Balqis had a “love-hate” relationship.

On the burns suffered by Bella caused by hot water from a thermos during another fight with Balqis in May 2021, Siti Bainun said due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she bought medicine to treat the burns based on the advice provided by a clinic and pharmacy, adding that the wounds healed within a month, except for the ones on Bella’s wrists.

She said she took Bella to a nearby clinic for further treatment. 

“I did not abuse Bella. If I intended to hurt Bella, I would not try to heal her (wounds), there was no need for me to ask the pharmacist for the right medicine to treat her and spend money to buy all the necessary items and the best medicine,” she said, adding that she had provided the best treatment for Bella as a mother would have for her child.

On the allegation that she treated another teenager named Yasmin like a slave, Siti Bainun said she had no idea where the idea originated, adding that this allegation was to influence the court and the public, and make the stories on social media “juicier”.

Siti Bainun said Yasmin was like her own child and from Yasmin’s diary, it was clear the teenager loved her and her younger siblings at the welfare home.

“We lived simply. If there was extra money, I would buy them the food that they wanted, also jewellery, including for Yasmin.

“Yasmin fabricated a twisted tale about me in this court, (but) I still love her. She was one of the first teenagers that I saved and in my care. I know she and her father were threatened so that Yasmin would be the scapegoat,” she added.

On November 24 last year, the judge ordered Siti Bainun to enter her defence on two charges of neglecting and abusing Bella after the prosecution managed to establish a prima facie case against her at the end of the prosecution case.

Siti Bainun, 30, was alleged to have committed the offence in a condominium unit in Wangsa Maju between February and June 2021.

The charges were framed under section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which provides for imprisonment for up to 20 years, a fine of RM50,000, or both, if found guilty.

The trial continues on February 20. – Bernama, January 27, 2023.