Mother of Muhammad Firdaus denies neglecting her disabled son
BY SARBAN SINGH
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SEREMBAN: A 40-year-old mother pleaded not guilty to a charge of neglecting her 15-year-old disabled and mentally challenged son who was found living in squalor in a flat in Nilai.
Lolanopita Sadi also claimed trial to another charge of causing emotional pain and injury to Muhammad Firdaus Dullah before Sessions Court judge B. Jagjit Singh.
She was charged under sections 31(1)(a) and 33(c) of the Child Act 2001 on Friday.
An Immigration team conducting routine checks on illegals found Muhammad Firdaus locked in a room in the unit last Saturday.
The teenager only had a tattered and soiled t-shirt on, and was covered in his own faeces and urine.
The entire unit was also littered with bits of polystyrene packs which was believed to have been used by the mother to pack food for him.
Lolanopita, who is employed in a catering company in Sepang, had prior to this claimed she did not know who to turn to for help as she worked long and irregular hours.
She also claimed that she could not afford to buy diapers for her son.
Lolanopita divorced Muhammad Firdaus' father and remarried in 2006.
She has a seven-year-old son from her second marriage.
Judge Jagjit fixed bail at RM7,000 for both of the charges and fixed re-mention on July 24.
Those convicted under section 31(1)(a) can be fined up to RM20,000, and jailed up to 10 years. Section 33(c) provides a fine of up to RM5,000 or jail up to two years or both.
