SHAH ALAM: A couple has been fined RM11,000 in total by the Magistrate's Court here for concealing a birth by burying a baby’s remains at the Section 21 Muslim cemetery.
Nur Atisha Balqis Ismail, 22, and her partner Muhamad Razi, 26 were fined RM5,500 each, in default nine months' jail, after they pleaded guilty to the charge read to them before Magistrate Wan Noora Nisa Ngadirin on Tuesday (March 3).
According to the charge sheet, the duo was brought to book for concealing a birth by burying the remains of a baby which had died before, during or after birth.
Nur Atisha and Muhamad had committed the act at about 7pm on Feb 17 and were charged under Section 318 of the Penal Code, which provides for jail of up to two years, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Counsel Hazwan Hassan and Muhamad Saifullah represented Muhamad Razi and Nur Atisha respectively.
In mitigation, Hazwan said his client was a labourer who earned RM100 daily.
He added that his client did not intend to hide the birth of the baby, who was miscarried.
"This is his first offence and the accused is remorseful and hopes to be fined only," said Hazwan.
Defence lawyer Muhamad, in mitigating for his client, also sought for a fine to be imposed, citing Nur Atisha’s young age and that she was also a first-time offender.
Meanwhile, DPP Nur Amirah Zahari asked that the punishment should be proportionate with the offence and serve as a lesson to both of them.
