Shelter owner in child abuse case allowed to travel to Philippines

 

Siti Bainun Ahd Razali, 30, faces charges of neglecting and abusing a 13-year-old girl with Down Syndrome in Wangsa Maju last year.

KUALA LUMPUR: Rumah Bonda welfare home founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali, who faces two charges of child abuse, was granted a temporary release of her passport today for her to attend a volunteer programme in the Philippines.

Sessions court judge Izralizam Sanusi granted the temporary release from today until Feb 11. He held that there was no risk of Siti Bainun fleeing, and based on the record, the applicant has never failed to appear in court and has always given her cooperation.

She was ordered to return the passport to the court before or on Feb 11. Her bail of RM17,000 was increased by RM3,000 to RM20,000.

Siti Bainun’s lawyer Farhan Maaruf had informed the court she had received an invitation from a mosque in the Philippines on Jan 3 to attend a community development programme from Feb 3-9.

“The applicant has taken part in the programme since 2014. Before the pandemic, she went there in the first week of Ramadan every year. Since her trial will begin in early Ramadan, the applicant would like to attend the programme earlier than usual.

“She has to be there to manage donations from Malaysia. We believe that the money can be handed over through money transfer but she needs to be there to ensure the recipient receives the money,” he said.

Farhan added that there was no reason for his client to run away because she had her family, business and a job in Malaysia.

Deputy public prosecutor Zilfinaz Abbas objected to the application as it was filed at the last minute even though Siti Bainun received the invitation early, which she said showed that Siti Bainun was taking the opportunity to celebrate Chinese New Year before the programme.

“The letter did not state the actual programme date and itinerary, and we are worried the applicant will grab the opportunity (to flee),” she said.

Zilfinaz added that as the trial date was getting closer and looking at the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the Philippines, Siti Bainun may be at risk and could affect the trial if she contracted the virus.

Siti Bainun, 30, faces trial on two charges of neglecting and abusing a 13-year-old girl with Down Syndrome at a condominium apartment in Wangsa Maju here between February and June last year.

The charge carries a maximum fine of RM50,000, or imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both, if found guilty. The court has set 15 days from March 30 for the hearing, with the prosecution expected to call 34 witnesses. - FMT