PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says he is not protecting the accused in the abuse case of the 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome known as Bella.

       The Umno president said allegations made based on a picture of him and Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali were baseless because as a leader, he was unlikely to reject the public's request to be photographed with him.

       “It is regrettable when I was told that someone was trying to link me to the case, accusing me of trying to protect the accused and that it was because of me that she had 10 lawyers on her defence team.

       “I am in no way protecting anyone if they are accused of being involved in a crime.

       “It is baseless to associate me with the accused just through a picture. As a leader, how could I reject anyone’s request to have a photo with me?” he said in a Facebook post Sunday (April 17).

       Ahmad Zahid said people should not jump to conclusions too quickly based on what they see or hear.

       “Let the court decide through a fair trial.

       “Allegations that I am trying to influence the court in the trial of Bella’s case also make no sense.

       "How can I do it when the prosecution also knows that I have no authority to do so,” he said, adding that he was not in the government.

       The Bagan Datuk MP noted that until now, he was still fighting to clear his name in court.

       "If it's true that I have such an ability (to influence the court), wouldn't it be better for me to ‘protect’ my case instead?” he asked.

       The trial involving Bella has gathered much attention online due to the severity of the alleged abuses.

       Siti Bainun, 30, had pleaded not guilty to two charges of neglecting and abusing the teenager to the point of the victim suffering injuries and also emotional trauma.