A Seremban mother was jailed three months after attacking her 11-year-old daughter with a knife over cosmetics found in the child’s bag.
PETALING JAYA: A 31-year-old mother was sentenced to three months’ jail by the Seremban Sessions Court on Tuesday (Dec 16) after pleading guilty to causing physical injury to her 11-year-old daughter in an attack involving a knife.
Sessions judge Surita Budin also ordered the woman to complete 120 hours of community service within six months after her release and to post a RM1,000 good behaviour bond with one surety, failing which she would serve an additional two months in jail.
The offence occurred at a flat near Seremban at about 5.30am on Oct 29, when the accused used a knife that injured the girl’s ear and also assaulted her, causing injury to the child’s shoulder.
The charge was framed under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001, which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years or a fine of up to RM50,000, or both.
In mitigation, defence counsel Hanis Anisah Jamiludin told the court that the accused had been receiving treatment for mental health-related issues and had previously attempted to take her own life, The Star reported.
“She failed to control her anger when she found her cosmetics in her daughter’s bag,” she said, adding, “The accused is deeply remorseful for what she did and promises never to repeat it.”
Hanis Anisah argued that a lengthy custodial sentence could worsen her client’s medical condition, noting that the woman’s husband and relatives had committed to ensuring she continues her medication and is not left alone at home.
Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni urged the court to impose a sentence proportionate to the seriousness of the offence, stressing the emotional harm suffered by the victim.
“As a mother, she is supposed to protect her child but in this case, she used a weapon to cause injury to her daughter,” she said.
“The attack will surely have a lasting impact on the victim and has caused her emotional trauma,” she added, calling for a punitive sentence as a deterrent to others.
