KUALA LUMPUR: The lawyers appointed by Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to hold a watching brief in the abuse case involving Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali, have called for the Social Welfare Department and National Council for Children to kickstart a comprehensive Children's Policy and Action Plan.
The lawyers - Datuk Khairul Anwar Rahmat, Datuk Baljit Singh, Datuk Ikbal Salam and Mohd Radzi Yatiman - issued a joint statement today after the Sessions Court here, found Siti Bainun guilty.
Referring to the case, the group of lawyers said such neglect and abuse cases were the result of the legal loopholes.
"Cases of neglect and abuse of this kind are a manifestation of legal loopholes that need to be immediately covered by improvements to the Children's Act 2001 to make the act more inclusive to protect children from neglect, persecution, abuse and exploitation.
"It is also important to ensure that the operation of the centre related to the care and protection of children is only done by those with training and not made into a medium to collect donations or contributions from any party."
The lawyers also added that plans and policies needed to be put forward with strict adherence by the relevant authorities.
"It is an urgent priority for the Social Welfare Department and the National Council for Children to ensure that this Bella case will not happen again in our civilised country
"Plans and policies need to be implemented with strict adherence and not just sounded seasonally every time there is a case of child abuse." read the statement.
Meanwhile, the wife of the Johor Crown Prince, Che' Puan Khaleeda Bustamam expressed her gratitude to the watching brief lawyers, #JusticeForBella activists, the prosecution team and individuals who have been rallying behind Bella.
"I would like to express my gratitude to the watching brief lawyers appointed by the Johor Crown Prince, #JusticeForBella activists, the prosecution team and other individuals that have been rallying in concern of the tragedy that happened to Bella.
"His Majesty The Crown Prince of Johor and I are very concerned about the issue of child abuse and believe this case should be taken as a lesson by all parties and hope that this kind of case does not happen again," she wrote on her Facebook.
Earlier today, Sessions Court judge Izralizam Sanusi found Siti Bainun guilty of abusing and neglecting her Down Syndrome adopted daughter and sentenced her to 22 years behind bars.
Izralizam sentenced the 31-year-old founder to 10 years imprisonment for neglecting Bella and 12 years of imprisonment for abusing the girl. He also ordered for Siti Bainun to begin serving the sentences concurrently from today.