Mother of abused 5-year old claimed trial

IPOH - A housewife claimed trial at the magistrate's court here today to two counts of abusing and causing grievous hurt to her 5-year old daughter.

On the first count, Choong Mee Chin, 30, pleaded not guilty to abusing her daughter by caning her on the head and all over the body at the living room of their house in Taman Wang, Menglembu here at 9am on Aug 12 this year.

She was charged under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001. She also pleaded not guilty to a second count of causing grevious hurt to her daughter at the same place and time.

For that, she was charged under Section 325 of the Penal Code.

Magistrate Suhaima Mohd Noor set bail at RM10,000 (S$3870) with one surety. She also ordered Choong to stay away from her daughter or risk having her bail terminated.

Choong's application to be sent to the Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta for mental observations for a month was granted. Suhaima also fixed Sept 20 for mention.

It was reported before this that the girl had suffered various bodily injuries after she was believed to have been abused by her mother. The child was believed to have been caned by her mother at their house in Taman Wang, Menglembu, here, after the woman became enraged with the girl's behaviour.

The 5-year old was taken to the hospital by her father after developing fever.