Rina denies not taking action in Bella case

 

Women, family and community development minister Rina Harun says she had remained silent on Bella’s case to safeguard the teenager’s well-being and safety. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The women, family and community development ministry has denied allegations that it did not take any action in the neglect and abuse case of a teenage girl with Down Syndrome known as Bella.

Its minister, Rina Harun, said among the measures taken was depriving Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali of her lawful right to custody of her adopted children last year.

Apart from that, the ministry had imposed a seal order on the welfare home and issued it a compound notice in July last year.

“We have provided emotional guidance and support (to Bella) because she was traumatised. We need to make sure she is healthy both physically and emotionally.

“We have also tightened the law for adoption. Several amendments have been made to ensure things like this never happen again,” she said after a ceremony to hand over tents and Syawal aid at the Desa Pandan community centre here yesterday.

Asked why she had remained silent on the case, Rina said it was to safeguard the well-being and safety of the teenager.

“There are things that we have done before that we did not make public, but it does not mean that we did not take any action,” she said. - FMT