KUALA LUMPUR: A couple was charged in the Ampang sessions court here today with two counts of ill-treating their six-year-old niece and seven-year-old nephew.
Julianah Omar, 34, and her husband, Asyari Alwi, 29, pleaded not guilty to both charges before judge Wan Norisham Wan Yaakob.
They were jointly charged with ill-treating the siblings at their house at Apartment Bella Vista in Taman Cahaya Ampang at 5.05pm between August and Sept 16.
The charges are framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which provides a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both, if found guilty.
They were allowed bail of RM10,000 in one surety each and also ordered to report themselves to the nearest police station, surrender their passports to the court, and not to intimidate the victims and witnesses.
Deputy public prosecutor Aiza Ali prosecuted, while lawyer Azlinie Othman represented the couple.
The court set Nov 3 for mention.
On Sept 16, it was reported that the Selangor fire and rescue department had rescued a young boy from the fourth floor unit of an apartment building in Ampang.
He was said to have been locked inside a room and was trying to climb out the window when passers-by spotted him.–FMT