KUALA LUMPUR: A couple claimed trial at the Sessions Court today (June 27) to a charge of abusing and neglecting their 6-year-old daughter which led to her death last year.
Fatin Afrina Abdullah, 26, and Muhammad Fuad Jamaluddin, 29, said they understood the charge read out to them before judge Dr Azrol Abdullah.
They were accused, as parents of the girl, to have committed abuse and neglect that caused her physical injuries from April to Dec 1 last year at a house in Taman Mulia, Cheras.
The charge under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code provides for a maximum RM50,000 fine or a jail term of not more than 20-years or both.
During the proceedings, Fatin stood outside the dock holding her 5-month-old baby who was born in prison while Fuad was in the dock.
Deputy public prosecutor Siti Nursyuhada Abd Rauf offered RM50,000 bail with one surety for each accused and asked the court to set a date for document submissions.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Tamara Anthony asked for a lower bail as the couple, both under remand since December last year, do not have any income.
She said Fatin was a housewife while Fuad was an e-hailing driver.
"They have two other children who are under the care of the Welfare Department.
"Fatin had given birth in prison and the baby is with her now in the facility," she said.
Tamara also told the court that the couple was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code at the magistrate's court today.
"But they were given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.They are being charged again here (in this court)," she said.
She asked the court to consider the case in Petaling Jaya where the parents of murdered autistic child, Zayn Rayyan, were each given bail at RM10,000 with one surety.
The court then set bail at RM15,000 with one surety for each accused and set Aug 15 for mention.
The girl, who was believed to have been abused and neglected by her guardian, had died while being treated at the Tunku Azizah Hospital.
Post-mortem results revealed the victim, who was born premature, had several issues health issues and died due to malnutrition.