SEREMBAN: A 30-year-old mother has claimed trial to a charge of neglecting her 10-year-old son, who was found loitering outside a row of shops in Nilai.
Dayang Norshida pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to her before Sessions judge Surita Budin here on Friday (Jan 16).
She was charged with committing the offence at their apartment in Desa Palma in Nilai between September and January.
The charge under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 carries a jail term of not more than 20 years or a fine not exceeding RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.
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The provision makes it a criminal offence for the ill-treatment, neglect, abandonment, or exposure of a child in a manner likely to cause the child physical or emotional injury.
Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni then asked the court for another mention date to allow the accused to appoint a lawyer, and also because the relevant reports were not ready.
She also told the court that the prosecution was not offering bail to the accused, who did not have any identification document, and her nationality could not be established.
Norazihah told the court that although the accused had claimed to be a Bajau from Sabah, the victim's birth certificate states that she is a Filipina.
She said the victim was also under the care of the Social Welfare Department.
Dayang, who was unrepresented, pleaded for bail.
She said the alleged victim and another son, aged four and who is being cared for by a relative, are from her previous marriage.
Judge Surita denied bail and ordered the investigating team to verify Dayang's identity.
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She then fixed Feb 23 for next mention.
In a Magistrate's Court earlier, the victim's 22-year-old lover also claimed trial to a charge of voluntarily causing hurt to the same victim.
Masran, who goes by only one name, was charged with committing the offence at their apartment at around 7am on Jan 6.
He was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to one year and a fine of up to RM2,000 upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor P. Rubini then asked the court for a next mention date as the victim's medical report was not ready.
She said the prosecution was offering the accused bail of RM3,000.
Lawyer YY Ng pleaded for a lower bail as the accused only earned RM1,700 working as a bartender.
Magistrate Nurul Farha Sulaiman then allowed bail of RM1,000 with one surety.
In a separate court, Masran also claimed trial before Magistrate Nurul Saqinah Rosli to another charge of possessing four pornographic images and four clips in his mobile phone.
He was charged with committing the offence at around 2pm on Jan 7.
The accused was charged under Section 292 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to three years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nik Nur'Aqilah Syarfa Nik Zaidi told the court the prosecution was offering the accused bail of RM7,000 with one surety pending next mention
Magistrate Nurul Saqinah then fixed bail at RM3,500 with one surety.
Both cases were fixed for next mention on Feb 16.
