Nurul Asyiqin Mohamad Zahir (in yellow), 27, and her housemate Singaporean Awiin Chua, 30, being brought out of court where they were each charged with two counts of child abuse and neglect at the Johor Baru Sessions Court on Aug 16, 2023. - THOMAS YONG/The Star
JOHOR BARU: A 27-year-old woman and her housemate have been charged at the Sessions Court here for abusing and neglecting a seven-year-old boy.
The boy’s biological mother Nurul Asyiqin Mohamad Zahir and Singaporean Awiin Chua, 30, were brought to court on Wednesday (Aug 16) morning where the charges were brought against them.
Nurul Asyiqin was accused of abusing her son, who was placed under her care, leading to his physical injuries in a house in Jalan Wau Kikik 7, Bandar Layangkasa, Pasir Gudang here from July 1 until Aug 9.
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She was also charged with neglecting the child at the same place and dates.
The charges were framed under Section 31 (1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a maximum imprisonment of 20 years, or both, upon conviction.
Chua, a factory technician in Singapore, also faces the same two charges.
Both women said they understood the charges and pleaded not guilty.
Deputy public prosecutor Nur Diyana Zubir offered bail at RM30,000 each with one surety, on condition that the accused report to the nearest police station once a month and be prohibited from disturbing the victim and prosecution witnesses.
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“(Nurul Asyiqin) had brought her son, who was under the care of her parents in Pokok Sena, Kedah to Johor Baru.
“She failed to care for her biological son, which led to his injuries,” said Nur Diyana.
Lawyer Abdul Rahim Ali, who represented both accused, asked for a lower bail amount as Nurul Asyiqin lost her job two months ago and was currently unemployed. She also did not possess a passport.
He said Chua had stayed at the same address as Nurul Asyiqin for more than two years and was not a flight risk.
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Sessions judge Fatimah Zahari granted bail for Nurul Asyiqin at RM15,000 with one surety and for Chua at RM20,000 with one Malaysian surety.
They were both ordered to report to the nearest police station once a month and prohibited from disturbing the victim.
Chua was in tears when both accused were brought out of court to the lockup.
The case gained public attention when videos of neighbours rescuing the victim from the accused went viral on social media.
The women were arrested at 12.30am on Sunday (Aug 13).
