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New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
Judge slams Siti Bainun: 'Even an animal would not inflict such harm'
PUTRAJAYA: A Court of Appeal judge today expressed deep outrage over the injuries inflicted on Down Syndrome teenager Bella, declaring that "even an animal would not inflict such harm," after reviewing graphic images of the abuse she suffered at the hands of Rumah Bonda founder, Siti Bainun Ahd Razali. Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah had requested that the prosecution present the photographs before the three-member bench delivered its unanimous decision to dismiss the 33-year-old's appeal against her conviction and 12-year prison sentence for abusing and neglecting Bella, who is now clinically 18 years old. Azman, sitting with Datuk Azmi Ariffin and Datuk Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz, viewed the photographs displayed on the bench's monitors and explained by deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad. After several minutes of deliberation, Azman, who delivered the judgment, said that Siti Bainun, entrusted with Bella's care, should have shown compassion. "No animal would even think about inflicting injuries as we have just seen. Let this serve as a reminder to the appellant and society that they must respect the law and its consequences. We cannot simply act against someone as we wish, especially someone vulnerable," he said. Siti Bainun, standing in the dock beside a prison warder, appeared composed while her family members observed from the public gallery. She maintained a stoic expression, occasionally staring at the courtroom floor, and was immediately escorted out of the dock after proceedings, waving goodbye to her family. She is serving her sentence at Kajang Women's Prison. Several activists who had championed Bella's cause were also present in court. Azman said that the injuries sustained by Bella, who was 13 at the time, were corroborated by eyewitness accounts, medical officers, and specialists. He said that the injuries were non-accidental, not self-inflicted, and occurred over multiple incidents rather than a single event. Medical reports and photographs revealed serious injuries, including burn marks on her underarms and old wounds on her head, face, back, stomach, and thighs. "Bella was under the appellant's care through a magistrate's court order from Sept 24, 2020 until she turns 18. On the clash of evidence regarding SP5 as raised by the defence, it was immaterial and did not affect the prosecution's case. SP5 remained a credible and trusted witness with no ulterior motives, acting only on the appellant's instructions," he said. Deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad described the charges as serious, urging the court to maintain the sentence imposed by the Sessions Court, which she said was proportionate. "Bella is a disabled girl who was abused and neglected by someone entrusted with her care. The injuries are severe, and while the wounds may heal, the trauma and scars will remain for life. Disabled children should be protected, yet Bella suffered at the hands of her caregiver," she said. In response, defence lawyer Mohd Haijan Omar argued that Siti Bainun, convicted on May 3, 2023, had already served over two years in prison. He requested that the court consider her status as a first-time offender and the alleged severity of the injuries in seeking a reduction of her sentence. Earlier, the panel dismissed Siti Bainun's application to present new evidence, citing a lack of exceptional circumstances and failure to meet the required legal threshold. On May 2 last year, then Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Datuk Noorin Badaruddin (now a Court of Appeal judge) upheld the Sessions Court's decision by Judge Izralizam Sanusi, which sentenced Siti Bainun to 12 years' imprisonment for the abuse and neglect of Bella.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Siti Bainun's final appeal in Bella abuse case dismissed
The sessions court in 2023 sentenced Siti Bainun Ahd Razali to a total of 12 years' in jail for neglecting and abusing a teenager with Down Syndrome known as Bella. PUTRAJAYA : Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali has failed in her final appeal to overturn her conviction for neglecting and abusing a teenager with Down Syndrome known as Bella. A three-member Court of Appeal bench led by Justice Azman Abdullah today unanimously dismissed her bid to set aside the conviction and 12-year jail sentence imposed by the sessions court on May 3, 2023. 'We find that the prosecution has proven its case against the appellant beyond reasonable doubt. 'Accordingly, the conviction is safe to uphold and the appeal is dismissed,' Azman said. Justices Azmi Ariffin and Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz also heard the appeal. The court upheld the 12-year sentence imposed by the lower court, with Azman remarking that 'even animals would not think of inflicting such injuries as those seen on Bella'. Azman said there was no denying that the injuries sustained by Bella, who was 13 when the offence took place in 2021, were non-accidental and not self-inflicted, as supported by witness testimony. He said photographs tendered in court showed wounds on her arms, old injuries on her head, face, neck and back, as well as burn marks. The sessions court had sentenced Siti Bainun, 33, to 10 years' jail for neglecting the girl and 12 years for abusing her, with both sentences to run immediately and concurrently. Siti Bainun was also ordered to sign a RM5,000 good behaviour bond for five years with one surety, and to perform 200 hours of community service within six months of her release. On May 2 last year, the High Court upheld both conviction and sentence. Siti Bainun was represented by Haijan Omar, Nurul Hafidzah Hassan, Nur Aminatul Mardhiah Nor, Tun Laila Tun Rafaee, Asyraaf Abu Bakar Hamzah and Putri Ainaa Amiera Megat Mustaffa Al-Bakri. The prosecution team comprised deputy public prosecutors Nor Azizah Mohamed, Tetralina Ahmad Fauzi, Analia Kamaruddin and Hidayat Wahab.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
Siti Bainun to serve 12 years for abusing Bella after court rejects appeal
PUTRAJAYA: Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali will remain serving a 12‑year sentence, after the Court of Appeal today dismissed her final bid to overturn her conviction and sentence of abusing a teenager with Down's Syndrome, known as Bella. Appearing in the dock wearing a yellow outfit and face mask, Siti Bainun, 33, looked visibly distressed as the three-member bench, led by Datuk Azman Abdullah, and comprising Datuk Azmi Ariffin and Datuk Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz, delivered its decision. She stood beside a prison warder during the proceedings, while her family members watched from the public gallery.
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Daily Express
Siti Bainun's final appeal in Bella abuse case dismissed
Published on: Thursday, August 14, 2025 Published on: Thu, Aug 14, 2025 By: Faisal Asyraf, FMT Text Size: The sessions court in 2023 sentenced Siti Bainun Ahd Razali to a total of 12 years' in jail for neglecting and abusing a teenager with Down Syndrome known as Bella. PUTRAJAYA: Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali has failed in her final appeal to overturn her conviction for neglecting and abusing a teenager with Down Syndrome known as Bella. A three-member Court of Appeal bench led by Justice Azman Abdullah today unanimously dismissed her bid to set aside the conviction and 12-year jail sentence imposed by the sessions court on May 3, 2023. 'We find that the prosecution has proven its case against the appellant beyond reasonable doubt. 'Accordingly, the conviction is safe to uphold and the appeal is dismissed,' Azman said. Justices Azmi Ariffin and Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz also heard the appeal. The court upheld the 12-year sentence imposed by the lower court, with Azman remarking that 'even animals would not think of inflicting such injuries as those seen on Bella'. Azman said there was no denying that the injuries sustained by Bella, who was 13 when the offence took place in 2021, were non-accidental and not self-inflicted, as supported by witness testimony. He said photographs tendered in court showed wounds on her arms, old injuries on her head, face, neck and back, as well as burn marks. The sessions court had sentenced Siti Bainun, 33, to 10 years' jail for neglecting the girl and 12 years for abusing her, with both sentences to run immediately and concurrently. Siti Bainun was also ordered to sign a RM5,000 good behaviour bond for five years with one surety, and to perform 200 hours of community service within six months of her release. On May 2 last year, the High Court upheld both conviction and sentence. Siti Bainun was represented by Haijan Omar, Nurul Hafidzah Hassan, Nur Aminatul Mardhiah Nor, Tun Laila Tun Rafaee, Asyraaf Abu Bakar Hamzah and Putri Ainaa Amiera Megat Mustaffa Al-Bakri. The prosecution team comprised deputy public prosecutors Nor Azizah Mohamed, Tetralina Ahmad Fauzi, Analia Kamaruddin and Hidayat Wahab. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Malay Mail
Siti Bainun loses final appeal, 12-year sentence for neglect, abuse of Bella stands
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 14 — The Court of Appeal today upheld a 12-year prison sentence against Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali for neglecting and abusing a teenage girl with Down syndrome known as Bella, four years ago. A three-member panel comprising Justices Datuk Azman Abdullah, Datuk Azmi Ariffin and Datuk Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz dismissed the 33-year-old's final appeal against the conviction and jail term handed down by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on May 3, 2023. Sessions Court Judge Izralizam Sanusi had sentenced Siti Bainun to 12 years in prison after finding her guilty of two counts of neglecting and abusing 13-year-old Bella. — Bernama MORE TO COME
