Welfare shelter fails in bid to challenge sealing of premises

 

Rumah Bonda chairman Siti Bainun Ahd Razali had named the department director and the minister for women, family and community development as respondents.

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has dismissed the judicial review application by Rumah Bonda Kuala Lumpur Welfare Organisation, known as “Rumah Bonda”, to challenge the action taken by the Federal Territory social welfare department to seal the shelter following allegations of abuse against a 13-year-old with Down Syndrome.

Judge Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid decided today to allow the objection by the Attorney-General’s Chambers against Rumah Bonda’s application.

Asiah Abd Jalil, who represented Rumah Bonda, told reporters that she requested that no costs be ordered because the application was filed not to seek profit but as a matter of public interest.

“The court allowed our request. We will file an appeal against today’s decision,” she added.

On Aug 13, Rumah Bonda through its chairman Siti Bainun Ahd Razali filed the application and named the department director and the women, family and community development minister as respondents.

Siti Bainun contended that the seal notice that was issued by the department on July 9 and its implementation on July 12 were influenced by public pressure after news on the alleged abuse of the teenager went viral on July 5.

She claimed that both respondents acted hastily due to pressure from the public urging the department and the government to take firm action in the case even though the teenager was not a resident of Rumah Bonda.

Siti Bainun also sought a declaration that at all material times, Rumah Bonda was in the process of registering with the department, hence it was not an illegal shelter or care centre. - FMT