KUALA LUMPUR: Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has offered the services of his lawyers for free to hold a watching brief in the abuse trial involving 13-year-old Bella, a Down Syndrome teenager.
"I have contacted and discussed with my lawyers regarding the case of Bella being abused. The case is currently being tried at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court and the public prosecution team has started proceedings against the accused in the case.
"The case at the moment involves two parties: public prosecutors on behalf of the government/public, and lawyers appointed to represent the accused," he shared in his Instagram story at @hrhcrownprinceofjohor.
Tunku Ismail further shared that he would contact Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun over the matter.
"I will contact Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rina Harun and offer my lawyers' services to hold a watching brief on behalf of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development for this case free of charge," he wrote.
Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) has reiterated its firm stand against the abuse of children in light of the #JusticeForBella case.
"Stop child abuse! No child should live in fear of violence or abuse.
"JDT urges everyone in society to protect children by staying alert of any suspicious child abuse case in any possible form. If you notice any, please report it immediately," it tweeted.
The Sessions Court, yesterday, was told that Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali began disliking Bella after the girl pulled a curtain and dislodged it from the rod.
Yasmin Nahar Mahmood, 18, a resident of Rumah Bonda, said since then, the accused started getting angry at Bella and began abusing her.
Yasmin earlier said Bella was abused by Siti Bainun on a daily basis for almost four months between March 2021 and June 24 last year.
Siti Bainun, 30, is charged with two counts of neglecting and abusing the teenager to the point that the victim suffered injuries, physically and emotionally. She pleaded not guilty.
The offences were allegedly committed at a condominium in Wangsa Maju here, between February and June 2021, under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which carries a jail sentence of up to 20 years or a fine of RM50,000 or both, upon condition.