KUALA LUMPUR – After postponing twice, Bella, the 13-year-old Down Syndrome girl is scheduled to be at the Sessions Court today for the identification proceeding.
According to a source, besides Bella, several individuals whose names were mentioned in this case are also scheduled to be present at the court today for the same proceeding.
Bella was scheduled for the identification process on 30 May, however, it was postponed as she was having fever. She was scheduled again on Monday (13 June), but it was rescheduled again.
The rescheduling caused the lawyer appointed by Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to hold watching brief to demand for further explanation.
Datuk Khairul Anwar Rahmat said, he was not informed by the prosecution on Bella’s absence.
“We were only informed that Bella is not feeling well today and it caused suspicion because the teenager was healthy when we met her at the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia (JKM) shelter recently.
“If Bella is truly not feeling well, perhaps, the prosecutors could inform the team watching brief and the defence counsels earlier,” he said.
Yesterday, Judge Izralizam Sanusi advised the prosecution and defence team to cooperate and share information about the case management, including coordination of witnesses.
Izralizam said, the witness coordination is a common court process.
Eight prosecution witnesses have testified in the case to date.
The 8th prosecution witness, Suhana Zam, 40, is scheduled for cross-examination by the defence counsels today.
The court adjourned at about 3.30 pm yesterday after Suhana told the judge that she was not feeling well.
The founder of Rumah Bonda, Siti Bainun Ahd Razali, 30, pleaded not guilty on two counts of child neglect and abuse of Bella, causing the teenager to suffer from physical and emotional wounds.
She was charged with committing the offence at a condominium in Wangsa Maju between February and June 2021 under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child’s Act 2001. -MalaysiaGazette
Read More:
Bella’s appearance postponed twice, TMJ’s lawyer rebukes prosecutor
Bella down with fever, cannot attend court
Bella may identify Siti Bainun at court today
‘KL London New York’ Whatsapp group proves 16 lies of 8th witness
