Tunku Mahkota Johor’s wife seeks justice for Bella

JOHOR BARU: Che’ Puan Besar Khaleeda Bustamam, the wife of Tunku Mahkota Johor, says she will do everything in her power to get justice for Bella, a child who was allegedly abused while under the care of a home in Kuala Lumpur.

In a recent Instagram post, Khaleeda shared a short video of 13-year-old Bella, who has Down syndrome, wearing hospital clothes with both arms bandaged and helping a nurse arrange medical supplies.

“May Allah protect you ... Adik Bella,” she said.

Khaleeda added that she was sick and tired of helpless children being victimised, and issued a veiled warning to those involved in the abuse.

“You can hide behind (an) army of lawyers but karma will eventually hit you so hard in this world and the hereafter.

“You will definitely be made an example for the rest of the other cowards out there,” she wrote last weekend.

Khaleeda, who is also patron of the Johor Girl Guides Association of Malaysia, issued the statement to stand firmly against any form of child abuse.

Last Saturday, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim offered the services of his lawyers for free to Bella.

“I have contacted and discussed with my lawyers regarding Bella’s abuse case. The case is currently being tried at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, and the public prosecution team has started proceedings against the accused in this case.

“I will contact Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun and offer my lawyers’ services to hold a watching brief on behalf of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development for this case free of charge,” he added in a statement.

Meanwhile, Rina drew flak from social media users for visiting Bella with an entourage of media personnel, with many calling it “self-promotion”, while others said it was wrong on many levels.

“Stop with the photo ops @RinaMohdHarun. It is not about you documenting proof that you care or you putting an act to ‘buat kerja’ (seen to be working). Insensitive and clueless on child protection,” said Twitter user, Tina Z.

“Bella is not ready to accept visitors or outsiders, so why bring reporters, videographers and photographers which could scare her,” tweeted @wahidahu55ain.

“This is wrong (on) so many ethical, moral and professional levels,” said another Twitter user Munirah Mazlan.

Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali, 30, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of neglecting and abusing the teenager to the point of injury and emotional trauma.

The case has attracted a great deal of attention nationwide due to the severity of the alleged abuse.