Siti Bainun's defence trial proceeds without a lawyer

KUALA LUMPUR - The defence trial of Siti Bainun Ahd Razali on two counts of neglecting and abusing a down syndrome girl known as Bella at the Sessions Court here, proceeds even though the Rumah Bonda founder was not represented by any lawyers.

Judge Izralizam Sanusi ordered Siti Bainun, 31, to read a nearly 200-page long witness statement, today.

The judge said it might take about two days for Siti Bainun to complete reading her witness statement

However, he postponed cross-examination by the prosecution until the next trial date on Feb 20.

"The court has absolute discretion to grant or reject the postponement application.

"In this case, I have to use my discretion wisely, therefore the defence case will proceed with the accused reading the witness statement which has been accepted by the prosecution," he said.

During the proceedings, Siti Bainun said she had discussed with a lawyer from the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK).

Siti Bainun: I have applied with the YBGK and they informed me that it would take a month for them to go through the case as the documents were all made available to them except for a bank statement from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

Izralizam: Before the case adjourns, I need to record a few things, please answer my questions.

Siti Bainun: Yes.

Izralizam: Did you file a complaint to the Bar Council regarding the action of the five lawyers who withdrew from representing you?.

Siti Bainun: No, because they are still helping me in the preparation of the statement of claim (of civil case) and documents in the trial.

Izralizam: Besides the case here, you have two other cases including the Rumah Bonda case, and for that case, were you represented by a lawyer?.

Siti Bainun: Yes.

Izralizam: Do you know the importance and seriousness of this case compared to the civil case and the appeal case?.

Siti Bainun: I do.

Izralizam: You should prioritise the case in this court because there is no stay of the proceedings in the High Court, but you still want to appoint a YBGK lawyer.

Meanwhile, deputy public prosecutor Zilfinaz Abbas objected to several paragraphs in the witness statement by Siti Bainun.

"It has touched on the personal issue of the fifth prosecution witness, former resident of Rumah Bonda Yasmin Nahar Mahmood and the expertise of other prosecution witnesses," he said.

The judge then instructed the prosecution to list down the paragraphs in question.

The court then went into recess.