Mother fined RM25,000 for neglect, negligence over son's death

Judge Suraiya Mustafa Kamal imposed the sentence on housewife Nor Zuliana Tahir, 34, after she pleaded guilty to neglect and negligence that led to the death of her son Muhammad Akhil Mustaqim Rasidy in 2014.

Nor Zuliana, who is eight months pregnant, was fined RM15,000 for neglect and RM10,000 for negligence.

Her husband, Zuhairi Kassim, 40, a taxi driver, was also fined RM15,000 on a joint charge of neglect towards Muhammad Akhil Mustaqim, his stepson.

On the charge of neglect, the court ordered the couple to be imprisoned 15 months if they were unable to pay the fines, while on the charge of being negligent causing death, Nur Zuliana was ordered to serve 10 months imprisonment if she failed to pay the fine.

The couple changed their plea to guilty on Monday when they were to have entered their defence after having pleaded not guilty.

Before imposing the sentence, Judge Suraiya said she took a serious view of the offence.

"A child is a gift from God. Whatever the problem, a child is not for you to vent your frustrations on. You should have been responsible. There are many people who want children but do not have them. I view this offence seriously," she said.

Both the accused had previously pleaded not guilty to committing the offence at Pangsapuri Permai Ria, Tasik Permai, Ampang, near here between May 23 an 26 in 2014.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Fadzlin Zawawi asked the court to impose a deterrent sentence, taking into account that the offence was serious and it involved the accused persons' own child.

Counsel Ariff Amirul Abdul Jani, who represented both the accused, asked the court to impose a fine as Nor Zuliana was eight months pregnant while Zuhairi had just undergone a heart operation.