Prime witness breaks jaw during assault at girls’ home

Prime witness breaks jaw during assault at girls’ home

JITRA – A teenager at a girls’ rehabilitation home has been warded for a jawbone fracture at the Jitra Hospital, after she was allegedly assaulted by two seniors on Wednesday.  According to the 15-year-old, she had a misunderstanding with the two seniors, who subsequently followed her to the home’s surau after dinner on Wednesday night, following which she was attacked.

“I had complained about being always ordered to wash their dishes. After that I left for the surau but the two followed me and started to push and slap me,” she said at the hospital. She said her hostel’s supervisor sent her to the hospital after the incident. The home is supervised by the Welfare Department.

The girl’s older sister, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she came to know that her sister was in hospital only her sister contacted the family on Thursday.

“I was shocked and surprised that the home’s authorities did not inform us about the matter. On hearing what had happened, we lodged a report at the KubangPasu police station at 1.20pm on Friday,” said the sister, who is 25 years old. The girl’s father, Rasidi Sulaiman, 55, said his daughter was sent to the home while awaiting a court case in which she is the prime witness.

“She has to undergo surgery on Tuesday. I am disappointed that such a thing could have happened because she is supposed to be safe at the home,” he said. Kubang Pasu deputy police chief DSP Ibrahim Mohamed Yusof, when contacted, confirmed receiving the report. He said the case was being investigated under section 323 of the Penal Code  (Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt).