KUALA LUMPUR: A video recording of a conversation at the Child Interview Centre with alleged child abuse victim Bella, who has Down Syndrome, was played in the Sessions Court here Thursday (Sept 15).
The video showed the 13-year-old girl, who was allegedly neglected and abused by Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali (pic), being interviewed by a police officer from the Sexual, Women, Children Crime Investigation Division (D11).
However, before the video was played, counsel Nur A'minahtul Mardiah Md Nor representing Siti Bainun requested that the public gallery be cleared as Bella is underage and protected under Section 6 of the Child Witness Act 2007.
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Judge Izralizam Sanusi allowed the request and ordered the public gallery to be vacated leaving only the prosecution, defence, the accused and a lawyer holding a watching brief in court.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad told the court that the psychiatric specialist handling Bella’s case who was scheduled to give a witness statement could not be present as she was involved in another matter related to her field.
"The prosecution has five more witnesses including a psychiatrist, a medical doctor, two investigation officers and Bella herself.
"The witness after the psychiatrist is Bella. The psychiatric specialist is required to assist the court to understand Bella's disability and intellectual limitations.
"The specialist can give examples of questions which can be posed to Bella. We are of the stand that Bella can only be called after the psychiatrist has given her statement,” she said.
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Siti Bainun, 30, pleaded not guilty to two charges of neglecting and mistreating Bella, causing the victim to suffer physical and emotional injuries, at a condominium in Wangsa Maju here between February and June last year.
She is charged under Section 31(1 )(a) 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 before Judge Izralizam continues on Sept 21. – Bernama
