SHAH ALAM – A resident of Rumah Bonda told the Sessions Court that she had bitten the stomach of a 13-year old down syndrome girl known as Bella after she was instructed to do so by the welfare home’s founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali.
Yasmin Nahar Mahmood, 18, revealed this during Siti Bainun’s trial for abandonment and abusing Bella, before judge Izralizam Sanusi, today.
The prosecution witness said she was instructed to do so because Bella did not follow Siti Bainun’s instructions.
"This made Siti Bainun angry, so she asked me to fill a syringe with hot water and splash it on Bella.
"However, Bella did not feel pain which made Siti Bainun angrier and instructed me to bite Bella’s stomach,” she said.
Under examination in chief by deputy public prosecutor Zilfinaz Abbas, the teenager said after Bella’s condition was made known to the accused’s friend Zurianty Sudin, 39, the accused had taught her to lie.
"Siti Bainun instructed me and two other Rumah Bonda residents named Aida and Balqis to lie to whoever that asks (about Bella).
"For example, Siti Bainun said if people ask whether anybody had beaten up Bella, we need to say no, while about the hot water, she (Siti Bainun) told us to teach Bella to tell people that the injuries were self-inflicted,” the witness said.
However, Yasmin said they were unable to teach Bella to say those things as Zurianty or known as ‘Mommy’ had already called the ambulance and took Bella out of the welfare home.
During the proceeding, the witness said she was scared when ‘Mommy’ knew about Bella’s condition, but she was even scared of Siti Bainun if the accused found out that they told Zurianty the truth.
Zilfinaz: Can you tell the court what happened on June 24, 2021?
Yasmin: ‘Mommy’ whose name is Zurianty came to the condominium in Wangsa Maju to check on me, Aida and Balqis and the other little kids because we contracted Covid-19 on June 23.
Zilfinaz: How did you know that you were positive for Covid-19?
Yasmin: Since there was a Covid-19 case in Rumah Bonda, Setapak, Siti Bainun called the doctor to get us tested.
Zilfinaz: Who took the test?
Yasmin: Siti Bainun, Ina, Aida, Balqis, me, Tulus, Arian and Mariam, except for Bella.
Zilfinaz: Why didn’t Bella do the test?
Yasmin: She was locked up in the laundry room and was instructed not to make a sound.
Zilfinaz: Then what happened?
Yasmin: Siti Bainun received a call to undergo quarantine at the Sungai Buloh Hospital.
On Aug 20, last year, Siti Bainun, 30, as a person having the care of the child was charged with neglecting Bella in a manner likely to cause her physical or emotional injury.
She was hauled to court again on Nov 20, the same year, and charged with abusing the girl.
The offences were allegedly committed at a condominium in Wangsa Maju, between February and June, last year.
The trial continues on April 13.