JOHOR BARU: They locked a seven-year-old boy up in the toilet, making him drink the water there and giving him just a little bread or rice each day.
The child was malnourished and weak when rescued, and lives in fear that one of the culprits will come looking for him.
The couple has now been fined RM17,000 and ordered to perform 440 hours of community service.
The child's father R. Thayalan, 39, and his girlfriend K. Mageswari, 41, pleaded guilty to an alternative charge before Sessions judge Thalha Bachok @ Embok Mok here on Tuesday (Feb 4).
According to the charge sheets, the duo, being responsible for the care of the child, had left him without providing reasonable supervision and proper care.
They were accused of committing the offence between July and October 2023 at a house in Taman Pulai Jaya here.
They were jointly charged under Section 33(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for neglect.
The case was prosecuted by DPP Nor Maisarah Hassan, while both accused were represented by P. Rajagunaseelan.
Nor Maisarah asked the court to impose a heavy punishment to deter child abuse cases.
"The victim was locked in a toilet and not given enough food and water.
"When rescued, the victim was thin and weak.
"He was rushed to Hospital Sultanah Aminah where medical officers confirmed that he suffered from malnutrition," she said.
She also read out an impact statement from the victim, who is now under the care of his mother in Selangor.
"I used to live with my father and his girlfriend, who I called Kakak (sister).
"Kakak forced me to drink toilet water and only gave me a piece of bread and a little rice every day.
"Now, I am scared to go to school or anywhere because I am afraid Kakak will come looking for me again," the statement read.
Rajagunaseelan pleaded for a lower fine, saying one accused is a van driver with an income of between RM1,500 and RM1,800 while the other is unemployed.
"Thayalan also works part-time as a car washer, earning an hourly allowance," he added.
The judge then fined Thayalan RM8,000 and ordered him to perform 200 hours of community service.
Mageswari was fined RM9,000 and sentenced to 240 hours of community service.
