Pictured: Parents accused of keeping five-year-old son in cage

Azlin Arujunah and Ridzuan Mega Abdul Rahman, both 27, lived in Singapore
Their son died in October 2016 after suffering burns to 75 per cent of his body
The only witnesses for the defence will now be their respective psychologists


A mother and father accused of keeping their son in a cat cage before scalding him to death have refused to take the stand in their murder trial.


Azlin Arujunah and Ridzuan Mega Abdul Rahman, both 27, have been accused of abusing their son at the family home in Singapore three years ago.


The trial, which began on November 12, heard how their five-year-old son had died in October 2016 after being scalded by 198F (92C) water which had caused burns to 75 per cent of his body.

Azlin Arujunah (right) and Ridzuan Mega Abdul Rahman (left), both 27, have been accused of abusing their son at the family home in Singapore three years ago




High Court judge Valerie Thean today called for the couple to testify but both have said that they 'do not wish' to do so.


Rahman's lawyer, Mr Eugene Thuraisingam, said that 'there are reasons why people take the stand or not' and branded it as a 'strategic decision'.


The Deputy Public Prosecutor said: 'If they choose to take this course, they have to lie where they make their bed,' according to the Straits Times.


The pair had previously admitted acts of abuse in numerous police statements.

The cat cage that Arujunah and Rahman are accused of keeping their five-year-old son in before his death in October 2016




The only witnesses for the defence will now be their respective psychologists.


Dr Jacob Rajesh, Arujunah's psychologist, created a report on how she was suffering from an adjustment disorder with depressed mood.


And Dr Ken Ung diagnosed Rahman with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, hypnotic use disorder and intermittent explosive disorder.


The case is currently being heard at Singapore's High Court.


On the first day of the trial the court heard how the five-year-old was kept in a cat cage and tortured with heated spoons and pliers for months before he died.


His death was caused by blows to the head and a deluge of 198F water poured over his back and calves, prosecutors said.


Pictures of the boy's injuries were shown on a screen in court.


He had a fracture to his nose and bruising on his limbs, scalp and lips as well as his gums being torn, the pathologist said.

High Court judge Valerie Thean at Singapore's High Court (pictured) today called for the couple to testify but both have said that they 'do not wish' to do so




The child, who has not been named due to a court order, died just a day after he was admitted to hospital.


A foster family had taken the boy in shortly after his birth in 2011 but he later returned to his biological parents in 2015.


Singapore's legal system maintains a mandatory death penalty for a number of offences including murder.


If found guilty, Arujunah and Rahman could be executed at the gallows in Changi prison.


Both defendants deny murder and the trial continues.