A 20-year-old mother was sentenced to 14 days in prison and fined RM10,000 after admitting to physically abusing her three year old son in Taman Danau Desa, Kuala Lumpur. The court also ordered her to complete 240 hours of community service, according to a Harian Metro report.
The young mother, whose name remains undisclosed due to legal restrictions, faced charges alongside two other women: Adibah Mohd Zaini, 35, and Nor Azlin Fatin Najihah Lokman, 25. Together, they were accused of abusing the child, leaving him with injuries on his eyebrow, stomach, back, arms, and legs. The incident, which took place on February 23 at a residence in Taman Danau Desa, involved violent actions that included kicking the young boy. This abuse was recorded by Nor Azlin Fatin, while the child’s mother permitted the situation to unfold without intervention.
In accordance with Section 15(1) of the Child Act 2001, the law prohibits identifying children involved in legal proceedings, either as victims or witnesses of abuse cases. This provision aims to protect the child’s privacy and minimize potential harm or trauma. Though the law does not explicitly prevent the disclosure of the parents’ or guardians’ names, maintaining their anonymity is typically practiced to avoid exposing the child’s identity.
Harian Metro reported that video footage of the abuse had circulated widely on the internet, showing Adibah repeatedly kicking the child. During the court hearing, the mother was questioned by Sessions Court judge Norina Zainal Abidin regarding her decision to “cage” her son. She explained that she placed the boy in a cage because she needed to work, adding that her job required her to work from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day. She further revealed that she left her son at the back of Adibah’s kitchen since she had no one else to care for him.
When the judge asked her about future plans, the mother stated she would be relocating to Penang, where her own mother could care for her child while she worked. The judge then questioned why she had not sought her mother’s assistance earlier, but the young mother had no response.
In addition to her prison sentence and fine, the judge placed her on a five year good behavior bond worth RM10,000, though no collateral was required. Both Adibah and Nor Azlin Fatin requested leniency, citing personal responsibilities. Adibah explained that she has two young children to care for, while Nor Azlin Fatin mentioned her need to support ten younger siblings.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Joshua Tee Yee Khuan argued for custodial sentences, emphasizing the cruel and inhumane nature of the abuse inflicted on the child. The trio faced charges under the Child Act 2001, which prescribes penalties of up to RM50,000 in fines or a prison sentence of up to 20 years, or both, for child abuse.
Ultimately, the court imposed prison sentences and fines on the three women, underscoring the seriousness of child abuse and the legal system’s stance against it. The report from Harian Metro did not specify details about the child’s father or the marital status of the women involved in the case.
Source: Malay Mail
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