Decision On Nov 24 Whether Siti Bainun To Make Her Defence

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Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali (right) will know on Nov 24 whether she will be acquitted or must enter her defence. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: The sessions court here will make a decision on Nov 24 whether Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali must make her defence against a charge of neglecting and mistreating a girl with Down Syndrome known as Bella.
The prosecution had ended its case against her after calling 22 witnesses.
Deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad said the prosecution was closing its case today after the testimony of the last witness, a water filter technician Mohamed Rezuan Satori, 25.
Judge Izralizam Sanusi ordered the prosecution and the defence to file written submissions on Nov 18, before the court delivers its decision on Nov 24 on whether to free Siti Bainun of the charges or to call her to enter her defence.
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Nor Azizah also said that the prosecution offered 15 witnesses to the defence, including several occupants of Rumah Bonda and Siti Bainun’s friends should she be called to enter her defence.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the lawyers expressed their appreciation to all quarters involved in ensuring a smooth running of the trial.
“We have full faith in the court proceedings and hope that justice will be served for Bella at the end of this case and that what happened to Bella cannot be allowed to happen again in our society,” the statement read.
The trial began on March 30 after Siti Bainun, 30, pleaded not guilty to two charges of abuse and neglect which resulted in physical and emotional distress to the 13-year-old girl.
She was alleged to have committed the offences at a condominium unit in Wangsa Maju between February and June 2021.
The prosecution team, led by Nor Azizah, also comprised deputy public prosecutors Zilfinaz Abbas, Zahida Zakaria, Fazeedah Faik and Shakira Aliana Alias.
Siti Bainun was represented by Nur Aminahtul Mardiah Md Nor, Mohammad Farhan Maaruf, Nurul Hafidzah Hassan and Nur Ellena Mohamed Razif.
Also present was Khairul Anwar Rahmat who was appointed by the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, to keep a watching brief. - FMT

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