Siti Bainun, who was sitting in the dock, could not control her emotions when the names of the children, aged three to 17, were called and they entered the courtroom for the identification session. They remained behind a curtain throughout the process.

They were then identified by three witnesses, namely an assistant manager of a company, Zurianty Sudin, 39, a resident of Rumah Bonda, Yasmin Nahar Mahmood, 19, and a legal research officer at a law firm, Suhana Zam, 40.

Earlier, lawyer Nur A’minahtul Mardiah Md Nor, representing Siti Bainun, requested for the six to take a look at her client to see their reactions.

However, deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad disagreed. She said there was a need to protect the individuals involved as they were children, and also a victim in the case of Bella.

Judge Izralizam Sanusi agreed, saying it was just an identification process and the children and teenagers were not being called to give statements.

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 on conviction.

The trial continues.