Deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad informed the court that apart from Bella, five others, aged between three and 17, were present in court for the identification proceedings.

Previously, the six were also under the care of Siti Bainun at the shelter home.

They will be identified by three witnesses – an assistant manager of a company, Zurianty Sudin, 39; a resident of Rumah Bonda, Yasmin Nahar Mahmood, 19; and a legal research officer with a law firm, Suhana Zam, 40.

Bella, clad in a blue blouse, black pants and grey scarf, was brought into the witness room by officers from the social welfare department (JKM) and met by lawyer Khairul Anwar Rahmat, who was appointed by the regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, to hold a watching brief in the trial.

Seven prosecution witnesses have testified in the case. Suhana, who is the eighth witness, will continue her testimony today.

Siti Bainun, 30, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of neglect and abusing Bella to the point of causing the victim to suffer physical and emotional injuries.

She is charged with committing the act at a condominium in Wangsa Maju between February and June 2021 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, upon conviction.

The trial is before judge Izralizam Sanusi.