Japanese woman charged with concealing baby's birth

Noda Junko, 36, was charged with concealing the birth of a baby by disposing of the infant's body in the women's toilet of a shopping mall in Cheras between 3 pm and 5.15 pm on Jan 12.

The charge, under Section 318 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nursyuhada Husna Sulaiman proposed RM10,000 bail with two sureties. However, lawyer Muhammad Afif Che Had, representing the accused, appealed for a lower bail, citing that it was his client's first offence.

"My client has been living and working in Malaysia for almost three years and has no previous criminal record," said the lawyer.

Magistrate Noorelynna Hanim Abd Halim granted the accused bail of RM6,000 with two sureties and imposed an additional condition that the woman's international passport be surrendered to the court pending the disposal of the case.

The court fixed March 27 for case mention.

-- BERNAMA