Teen claims trial for abusing girls at childcare centre in Negri Sembilan

SEREMBAN: A teenager claimed trial at different Sessions courts here to four charges of physically abusing young girls at a childcare centre in Rasah.

The accused who turns 20 on Sept 22 pleaded not guilty to the charges before judges Datin Surita Budin and Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi.

She was charged with using a hot spoon to cause burns and physical injury on the arms of her victims aged between five and six years.

The accused, who was employed as a childcare assistant, committed the offences at the centre in August of this year.

She was first slapped with two charges before judge Surita followed by two more before Meor Sulaiman.

She was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years’ in jail and a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.

Several people believed to be members of her family were also present in court.

In the first court, deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni asked the court for a remention date as her team had yet to obtain the medical reports.

She also said the prosecution was not offering the accused bail but if the court allowed it, then the amount should be high due to the nature of the alleged offences.

She said the accused should also be ordered to stay away from the alleged victims and witnesses.

When Surita asked the accused if she had anything to say, she appealed to the court for a light sentence.

However, Surita said that at this stage, the court only wanted to know if the accused wanted bail and the mitigating factors for a low amount.

This prompted the interpreter to walk towards the accused and explain what the judge was asking.

The accused then told the court she wished to be allowed bail and that her parents were present in court.

She also said that she earned an allowance of RM300 a month and had only been working at the centre for five months.

She went on to say that she suffered from migraines and had spinal aches but had yet to go for a medical check-up.

Judge Surita then allowed the accused to be released on bail of RM40,000 for both charges.

The accused was also ordered not to contact the victims, to report at the nearest police station once a month and to surrender her passport to the court in case she had one.

In the second court, deputy public prosecutor Syamimi Farhana Muhammad A. Aziz also refused to offer bail to the accused.

She said this was because the accused had committed a serious crime against young children under her care.

“Although the accused is being charged for two alleged offences in this court, she had been charged for two more in another court earlier.

“In total, there are four children who had been subjected to physical injury,” she said.

When Meor Sulaiman asked the accused if she had anything to say, she merely asked to be given bail.

The judge then asked the deputy public prosecutor if the alleged offences were committed in the same home, Syamimi Farhana answered in the affirmative.

“Taking that into account, I hereby deny the accused bail,” said Meor Sulaiman.

Both courts fixed Oct 18 for remention and to allow her to appoint a lawyer.

On Wednesday (Sept 11), hundreds of children were rescued in a large-scale operation in two states.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the rescue was part of Ops Global.

The raids were conducted at 18 care homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan.

A total of 402 children, comprising 201 boys and 201 girls, aged between one and 17, were rescued.

They were believed to be victims of abuse and those who were abandoned.

Razarudin said 171 suspects, aged between 17 and 64, were arrested, including a teacher and dorm caretakers.