KUALA LUMPUR: A legal research officer at a law firm told the sessions court that she had never seen Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali take care of the babies in the house.
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Instead, the task was given to three other occupants in the house, namely Aida, Yasmin and Balqis.
Suhana Zam, 40, said during the time she spent at the condominium owned by Siti Bainun in Wangsa Maju, she saw Aida, Yasmin and Balqis, bathed the two babies, Tulus Jiwa and Tulus Bael, and changed their diapers.
“I noticed that Tulus Jiwa had skin allergies. He was not an active baby but he could crawl. He would be under the table for about an hour and nobody cared.
“Tulus Bael, meanwhile, was always injured. For example, one night, he was left to play alone and he fell. His mouth was bleeding and he cried. Aida, Yasmin and Balqis calmed him down and then left him to play again. He fell at the same spot and was bleeding,” Suhana said, adding that such incidents were common.
The eighth prosecution witness said this during re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad in Siti Bainun’s trial.
Siti Bainun, 30, pleaded not guilty to two charges of neglecting and abusing Bella, a 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome, to the point of causing the victim to suffer physical and emotional injuries.
She is charged with committing the act at a condominium in Wangsa Maju between February and June 2021 under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years or a fine of RM50,000, or both on conviction.
Suhana said she had advised Siti Bainun not to be rough with the children in the house.
“I advised Siti Bainun when I saw her doing something that was not right. For example, she kissed Tulus Bael until he had marks on him. I told her, ‘Don’t do that, Nun (Bainun), it is painful (for the baby).’ Siti Bainun said, “Children with syndromes do not feel pain.’
“I saw that the balcony (of the house) was not safe. There were high tables and chairs. I told her that if the children climbed onto them, they could fall over the balcony. Siti Bainun replied, ‘it’s okay sister, they will not climb’.”
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Suhana also said she was sure Bella slept in the laundry room because she had seen Siti Bainun going with Bella into the room and Siti Bainun would return alone.
She said she never saw Bella playing in the living room with the other children.
When asked by Nor Azizah why the witness did not help clean the faeces in the laundry room, Suhana replied: “In Siti Bainun’s house, there seemed to be certain rules. (Only) Aida, Yasmin and Balqis took care of Bella, Tulus Bael and Tulus Jiwa.
“I was not allowed to do any chores, not even to take a glass back to the kitchen. Even if I wanted to eat, it would be arranged by them,” she said.
Suhana also said she did not lodge a police report because the first prosecution witness, Zurianty Sudin, had already lodged a report.
“Zurianty had met Bella and she lodged a police report. After I found out that Zurianty had lodged a police report, I told Zurianty that if the police wanted me to testify, I could come and testify.
“At the time (before Zurianty filed a report), I felt it was risky to lodge a report as it could further endanger Bella. The time was not right and I was not sure if Bella could be removed from the house.”
Nor Azizah: The (defence) counsel suggested that when you asked Zurianty to look at Bella’s condition, you could have called for an ambulance. Why didn’t you call?
Suhana: I didn’t call because I was not sure of Bella’s condition at the time, whether she was in a serious condition or otherwise. That was why we agreed that Zurianty should check on Bella first.
The trial before sessions court judge Izralizam Sanusi continues tomorrow.-BERNAMA