Couple in Negri child neglect case file representation on day of sentencing

Both the accused leaving the Sessions Court after proceedings.

KUALA PILAH: A couple who earlier pleaded guilty to child neglect and were supposed to have been sentenced have now decided to file a representation.

Muhammad Firdaus Shariman, 32, and Siti Salasiah Jumaah, 25, pleaded guilty in the Sessions Court on April 3 to a charge of leaving their two young children in an unattended car which then crashed into a Ramadan bazaar.

They were to have been sentenced on Friday (May 3).

Ahmad Loqman Hakim Ahmad Khairie from the Legal Aid Department told judge Norma Ismail that his clients had asked him to file a representation.

"We hereby ask the court to give us another day pending the outcome of the representation," he said.

A representation is usually filed with the prosecution to apply for a retraction or to lessen the charge brought against an accused.

Norma then allowed the application and fixed July 19 for mention.

The couple had been charged with leaving their children, aged six and one, unsupervised in the car with its engine running along a road in Kuala Klawang at around 5.30pm on March 12.

They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to 20 years or a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.

The provision states that action can be taken against a parent or guardian who neglects, abandons or exposes a child in a manner likely to cause physical or emotional injury.

They were unrepresented when charged on April 3.

Ahmad Loqman Hakim said he will also be filing a representation for another charge faced by the wife.

On the day in question, Siti Salasiah, as the driver of the car, had also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of causing grievous hurt to a stall owner as a result of the crash.

The stall owner was scalded after a wok of boiling oil tipped over on him.

She was charged under Section 338 of the Penal Code for a rash or negligent act that could endanger human life or personal safety.

Offenders can be jailed up to two years or fined up to RM2,000 or both upon conviction.

Judge Norma also allowed the application and fixed July 19 to hear the outcome.

Muhammad Firdaus works as a gardener while Siti Salasiah is a homemaker.

DPP Norazihah Asmuni prosecuted.