Suhana Zam, 40, who is also the eighth prosecution witness in Siti Bainun’s trial on charges of abuse and neglect, disagreed with defence counsel Nur A’minahtul Mardiah Md Nor’s suggestion that it was a plot hatched by her and four others.
Siti Bainun, 30, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of neglect and abuse of a 13-year-old girl with Down Syndrome known as Bella, to the point of causing the girl to suffer physical and emotional injuries.
She is charged with committing the act at a condominium in Wangsa Maju between February and June last year under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years or a fine of RM50,000 or both on conviction.
Nur A’minahtul said Suhana’s stories in court contradicted the dates of several incidents where she was referred to in conversations on WhatsApp.
Suhana disagreed with Nur A’minahtul’s suggestion that the discrepancies meant that the incidents narrated by the witness in court were of her own imagination and never actually occurred.
Nur A’minahtul: The conspiracy became stronger after (you) Suhana read about Bella’s case on social media.
Suhana: I disagree.
Suhana also denied that she had been on good terms with Siti Bainun until July 11 last year.
Nur A’minahtul: After that date (July 11), you no longer replied to Siti Bainun on WhatsApp and the bond between you and the four others ensured that Siti (an occupant of Rumah Bonda), who is another witness (in the case), was distanced from Siti Bainun.
Suhana: I disagree.
The witness also denied that she lied 16 times while testifying in court.
Another lawyer representing Siti Bainun, Asiah Abdul Jalil, suggested that Suhana was dissatisfied because Siti Bainun had appointed a new committee member during the official establishment of Rumah Bonda instead of opting for the witness, whom she had known since 2009.
To this, Suhana replied: “I disagree.”
Asiah: I am suggesting that you were jealous of Siti Bainun’s achievements in life and because of that, you wanted Siti Bainun to be ridiculed and arrested, apart from losing Rumah Bonda and her adopted child.
Suhana: I disagree.
The hearing before sessions court judge Izralizam Sanusi continues.