Rumah Bonda allowed to reopen but not as care centre

The premises occupied by the Kuala Lumpur Rumah Bonda Welfare Organisation, or Rumah Bonda, have been allowed to reopen, but not as a care centre.

This follows a decision by magistrate Nur Syafiqah Noorinda today, allowing the application by Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali to remove the seal on the premises.

The Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Social Welfare Department (JKM WPKL) had sealed the premises near Setapak after Siti Bainun was charged with the abuse of a 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome.

Lawyer Asiah Abd Jalil, representing Siti Bainun, said the Social Welfare Department did not object to her client’s application to remove the seal. 

"Rumah Bonda was compounded RM5,000, which was paid on April 25," said the lawyer when contacted after the court proceedings today.
 
At today’s proceedings, federal counsel Fatin Shafira Ab Patah appeared on behalf of the director of JKM WPKL.

On June 7, Rumah Bonda filed an application to remove the seal order obtained by JKM WPKL on its premises for it to be used for purposes other than a care centre.

Based on a supporting affidavit filed with the suit, Siti Bainun said she had received a notice to seal the premises from JKM WPKL, which stated that Rumah Bonda in Taman Setapak would be closed in accordance with Section 16 (1) of the Care Centres Act 1993.

Siti Bainun claimed that the action taken on July 12, 2021 on the grounds that Rumah Bonda was not registered under the Care Centres Act 1993 was unfair and not in accordance with the principles of administration and law as JKM WPKL was aware that Rumah Bonda was in the process of registration.

On April 20, Rumah Bonda received an offer of compound notice, amounting to RM5,000 from JKM WPKL.

According to Siti Bainun, she was disappointed when informed by JKM WPKL that Rumah Bonda could only be opened through a court order as she had paid the compound on April 25.