Kuala Lumpur: A married couple pleaded not guilty in the sessions court here today to a charge of abusing and neglecting their six-year-old daughter.
The 29-year-old e-hailing driver and his 26-year-old wife allegedly committed the offence at a flat in Taman Mulia, Cheras here between April and Dec 1, 2023.
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The charge, framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000 or up to 20 years in prison upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Siti Nursyuhada Abd Rauf requested bail of RM50,000 in one surety each for both the accused.
However, lawyer A Tamara, representing the couple, pleaded mitigating circumstances.
“The couple has been given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to a charge of murdering their daughter by the magistrates’ court earlier today,” Tamara said, adding that they had been under remand since December last year.
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She also told the court the wife had given birth in prison and cited the case of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, where his parents were allowed bail of RM10,000 in one surety each.
The woman brought her five-month-old child to court today, while the couple’s two other children are in the custody of the social welfare department.
Judge Azrol Abdullah allowed the couple bail of RM15,000 in one surety and set Aug 15 for mention.
Earlier, magistrate S Mageswary granted a request by deputy public prosecutor B Sareeka for the couple to be given a DNAA on the charge of murdering their daughter.
Sareeka told the court the prosecution did not want to proceed with the case under the Penal Code, but will charge the couple under the Child Act in the sessions court.
