KUALA BERANG, Nov 9 – A 23-year-old restaurant worker has been sentenced to three months in prison and fined RM5,000 for concealing the birth of her child.
The Magistrate’s Court handed down the sentence after Nur Ain Adilin Mohd Rofiza pleaded guilty to disposing of her infant’s body in a drain at Perumahan Awam Kos Rendah, Padang Setengge.
Magistrate Nur Athirah Hashim also ordered her to serve an additional five months in prison if she fails to pay the fine.
The incident took place at about 10 pm on Oct 15.
Court Hears Defence and Prosecution Arguments
During the hearing, lawyer Nor Aziah Bunawan from the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) asked the court to consider a lighter sentence.
She told the court that the accused was still young and had acted out of panic. She also highlighted the guilty plea, which saved court and prosecution time.
The lawyer added that the accused had expressed remorse and promised not to repeat the offence.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Anith Nabilah Rusli urged the court to impose a prison sentence.
She said the case involved the accused’s own child and required a punishment that could discourage similar offences.
Police Discovered Infant’s Body in Drain
Earlier, Hulu Terengganu district police chief Supt Sharudin Abdul Wahab said police found the infant’s body in a drain at a residential area in Kampung Padang Setengge on Oct 16.
The discovery came a day after the incident.
According to the police chief, the post-mortem examination confirmed that the infant had reached full term.
The court heard that the accused faced a charge under Section 318 of the Penal Code. This section covers the concealment of a birth by secretly disposing of a child’s body.
The law carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a fine, or both upon conviction.
The court’s sentence followed the accused’s guilty plea to the charge.
Source : BERNAMA | Rewritten By Minutesmy
