PETALING JAYA: Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin has joined calls to seek justice for Bella, a 13-year-old girl with Down Syndrome who is believed to have been abused.

       Zuraida said she had been following developments of the case of the little girl, which had gone viral on social media.

       A video depicting Bella's injuries, including burn marks to her chest, hands, neck and thighs, had been shared on social media.

       "The scars of Bella's suffering as a result of being abused as shown in the video are heart-wrenching and distressing.

       “Like any other Malaysian, I am also deeply affected by the videos and photos depicting the unfortunate incident that has befallen the little girl.

       "I hope that the perpetrators will get the right punishment and she will get the justice she deserves," Zuraida said in a statement Tuesday (July 13).

       Bernama has reported that the girl was under the care of Taman Sinar Harapan (TSH) Tuanku Ampuan Najihah since 2011 before being handed over to a welfare home owned by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as an adopted child last year.

       Bella was later found with burns to her chest, hands, neck and thighs after allegedly being a victim of abuse at a condominium unit in Wangsa Maju which was being used as a welfare home.

       Kuala Lumpur CID chief Senior Asst Comm Saiful Anuar Yusoff had previously said an examination by a doctor confirmed that the victim had infected burn wounds on her forearm and had multiple old scars all over her body.

       The victim also tested positive for Covid-19, he confirmed.

       A woman in a viral Facebook post claimed the young girl was splashed with hot water and tied up when under the care of the NGO's welfare home.

       Zuraida thanked Malaysians for their concern and for highlighting Bella's plight on social media.

       "I hope the effort will be successful. I pray that little Bella will recover soon and can proceed with her life smoothly," added Zuraida.