SHAH ALAM: Popular singer Ziana Zain hopes everyone will ‘give her space’ following the arrest of her husband Armin Zaharin Ahmad Zambri this morning.
Armin has been charged with injuring their son with a cane on Feb 25.
"I need space for a while... I leave it to God," said a distraught Ziana when contacted by Berita Harian Online today.
The singer also said she hoped everyone, especially fans, would understand her predicament.
Armin, 53, pleaded not guilty to charges that he had caused injury to one of his children by caning before Magistrate Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin at the Shah Alam Magistrate's Court.
The former air steward who is unemployed is alleged to have caned his son at 4am on Feb 25, and was charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code for causing injury. The offence carries a jail term of not more than 10 years or a fine, whipping or both.
He pleaded that he was merely teaching his son how to recite religious scripture and perform prayer.
Raja Noor Adilla reduced bail from RM10,000 to RM5,000 with one surety.
Armin's case is handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Megat Mahathir Megat Tharif Afendi, and the case will be mentioned again on April 4.
According to the charge sheet, a police report was made by Ziana on Feb 27 before Armin's arrest on March 2.
Ziana did not attend this morning’s proceedings.
Ziana and Armin were married in May 1998 and have four children, Muhammad Aiman, 19, Muhammad Ammar, 14, and 9-year-old twins Muhammad Ariel dan Siti Nur Kaseh.