Filipina charged with abusing niece

A 32-year-old Filipina has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here yesterday after being charged with abusing her niece who was in her custody.

The accused, Armah Ab Muin, stood in the accused dock before Sessions Court judge Egusra Ali, when the charge was read to her by the court's interpreter and was rubbing both her eyes with her hands as if she was crying.

Armah was alleged to have abused the 13-year-old girl, who had no identification document, by hitting her and splashing her with hot water causing physical injury at a house in Taman Milan in Jalan Pasir Likas, near here on the morning on July 14.

She was charged under Section 31 (1)(a) of the Children's Act (Amended) 2016, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years, or a maximum fine of RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor, Siti Amirah Mohd Ali, objected to granting of bail to Armah as the alleged offence is serious, given, as reported by the investigating officer of the case, that the alleged victim is still warded in the hospital since July 15. The other reason being that the relationship between Armah and the alleged victim would pose a risk of tampering.

Siti Amirah also submitted that Armah holds an IMM13 document and would pose a high possibility of absconding. However, as granting of bail is at the discretion of the court, Siti Amirah proposed a a bail sum of RM20,000 with conditions for her passport to be impounded, for her to report to the police station and to not tamper with the prosecution witnesses, should bail be granted.

Counsel Pg Amli Noraufe Pg Nohin, who represented Armah, in reply, pleaded for bail to be granted on grounds that his client is married and has a son. Amli said that Armah, a housewife, had been remanded for six days and had cooperated fully with the police throughout the investigation.

In view of her plea, the court set September 10 this year for case management, and owing to the possibility that the accused, who is not a Malaysian, may abscond, the court ordered for her to be further detained in custody, pending disposal of the case.