Bella Case: Court orders Siti Bainun to give statement of defence without lawyer

KUALA LUMPUR – Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali (picture), who is facing charges of neglecting and abusing the Down syndrome girl known as Bella, was today ordered by the Sessions Court to give her statement of defence even without being represented by any lawyer.

The order was made by Judge Izralizam Sanusi after deciding that the defence proceedings must go on so as not to disrupt the course of the case.

“The court has absolute discretion to allow or reject the application for postponement. In this case, I have to use my wise discretion. So today, we will begin with you reading your witness statement which has been received by the prosecution.