SHAH ALAM, May 15 — The charge against Armin Zaharin Ahmad Zambri, the husband of popular singer Ziana Zain, who is accused of causing grievous hurt to his son last February, was amended for the second time at the Magistrate’s Court here today.

At the proceedings today, deputy public prosecutor Megat Mahathir Megat Tharih Afendi told Magistrate Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin that Armin would be charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt to his nine-year-old son.

According to the amended charge sheet, Armin is alleged to have used a cane to cause cuts and bruises on his son’s arms at their house in Denai Alam here, between 8pm and 10.30pm on February 24.

If convicted, the former chief steward of the national airlines can be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine of up to RM2,000, or both.

Armin was initially charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum 10 years’ imprisonment or with a fine or whipping, or any two of the punishments on conviction, before the charge was amended to Section 324 read with 326A of the Penal Code.

Section 326A provides for twice the maximum jail sentence stated in Section 324.

Armin, however, maintained his not guilty plea which was recorded the first time he was charged on March 6.

The man was arrested on March 2 after Ziana, whose real name is Siti Roziana Zain, lodged a police report on the incident on Feb 27.

Raja Noor Adilla set May 28 for remention of the case.

Ziana, 50, and Armin, 58, tied the knot on May 9, 1998, and had four children – Muhammad Aiman, 18, Muhammad Ammar, 14, and nine-year-old fraternal twins Muhammad Ariel and Siti Nur Kaseh.

The couple are undergoing divorce proceedings at the Shah Alam Syariah Lower Court. — Bernama