KUALA LUMPUR — A man was sentenced to five years in prison, while his wife was fined RM18,000 by the Sessions Court here today after both pleaded guilty to abusing their daughter with a durian husk last week.
Judge Mohd Zaki Mohd Salleh ordered Bunyamin Sukiman, 42, to begin serving his sentence from the date of his arrest on 18 July. His wife, Yorlini Abdullah Umar, 32, will face three months’ jail if she fails to pay the fine.
Both were also ordered to be placed on a three-year good behaviour bond without surety and to carry out 12 months of community service.
According to the charge, Yorlini, the biological mother of the victim, and Bunyamin, her stepfather, were accused of physically abusing the girl — who is seven years and 11 months old — at a home in Jalan Ampang around 6pm on 16 July, causing injuries to her body.
The couple were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both.
According to the facts of the case, the school’s senior assistant for student affairs had called the girl in over an allegation that she had cut another student’s headscarf.
Although found to be innocent, the girl then confided that she had been beaten, had her ear twisted by both adults, and was punched by her stepfather.
She further revealed that her hand had been placed on the floor and struck with a durian husk, causing injury.
Her wounded hand was then soaked in warm salt water, wrapped with adhesive tape, and left overnight.
Deputy public prosecutor Ravindejit Kaur urged the court to impose a stern sentence, stressing that the young victim was entitled to protection, not cruelty.
“The act of pressing a durian husk onto the child’s hand and soaking it in salt water is an act of extreme cruelty. Parents are meant to protect their children, not unleash their anger upon them,” she submitted.
In mitigation, the couple’s lawyer, Simret Singh, pleaded for leniency, noting that Yorlini was unemployed and financially dependent on Bunyamin, who works as a vehicle sales advisor and is the family’s sole breadwinner.
“The couple has two children, including the victim. They were remanded for seven days and cooperated fully with the authorities. During detention, both expressed remorse and promised not to repeat the offence,” he said. — July 24, 2025