Siti Bainun said Bella was a sweet and funny girl who enjoyed singing to herself in front of the mirror.
Bella came under the care of Siti Bainun in July 2020. During this time, Siti Bainun said she never received any money, asked for donations and support to care for Bella.
“I sold bread, cakes, pasta and took catering orders to support seven of my children, including Bella. For catering, I would do the cooking myself at my mother’s home and not ask my children to help me unless I cook in the condominium.
“They themselves wanted to help me without being forced,” she said, reading her witness statement before judge Izralizam Sanusi.
She said the children under her care in Rumah Bonda were taught to be independent, disciplined and loving towards each other despite the fact that they were from less fortunate backgrounds.
“I allowed Bella to sweep the floor and learn to wipe dishes because she doesn’t know how to wash dishes well. So I or her sisters would wash her plates.
“I taught her how to manage herself. We don’t stop her from being independent, but she is also a special child who needs attention.
“In my mind, if I’m gone one day, these children will know their responsibilities and will be able to take care of themselves. But I don’t force and order her (Bella) to do work like others, as I’m aware of what she’s able to do,” she said.
As to why Bella was tied up, Siti Bainun said this was because the teen liked to wander about at night looking for snacks.
Once she drank a whole carton of milk which led to diarrhoea, Siti Bainun said. This incident was corroborated by the prosecution’s fifth witness Yasmin Nahar Mahmood.
Yasmin, Siti Bainun said, would tie one end of a cloth to Bella’s leg with the other tied to her own.
“So if Bella got up to wander, Yasmin could wake up and tell her to go back to sleep. That’s why when asked who tied her, Bella said Shomin. Yasmin herself admitted in her statement that she was Shomin.”
Siti Bainun said that the cloth was not tied tightly, as evident by the lack of injuries or swelling.
On Nov 24 last year, the judge ordered Siti Bainun to enter her defence on two charges of neglecting and abusing Bella after the prosecution managed to establish a prima facie case against her at the end of the prosecution’s case.
Siti Bainun was alleged to have committed the offence at a condominium in Wangsa Maju between February and June 2021.
She is being charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries imprisonment for up to 20 years or a fine of RM50,000, or both, if found guilty.
The trial continues tomorrow.