Suhakam: Sentence for Datin Who Abused Maid ‘Incomprehensible’
Petaling Jaya, MINA – Suhakam is calling for justice after a “Datin” escaped jail time for abusing her Indonesian domestic worker, calling the sentence “incomprehensible”, The Star reported.
“Suhakam finds it incomprehensible that given the seriousness of the charge, the Sessions Court has only sentenced the perpetrator to be placed on a good behaviour bond for five years,”
In a statement Tuesday, he said the sentence brings into question the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s offer of a lesser charge when the injuries inflicted were so serious.
“Suhakam is dissatisfied with the sentence because a migrant worker has suffered severe physical mistreatment and violence at the hands of her employer,” he said.
“This decision raises questions of not only the injustice and inadequacies in the protections afforded under Malaysian law for migrant domestic workers, but apparent bias towards employers.”
Razali highlighted public complaints about the sentence, adding that the lesser charge and sentence can be interpreted as a gross application of selective justice.
Datin Rozita Mohamad Ali was charged with abusing then 19-year-old Suyanti Sutrinso in 2016 using a kitchen knife, a steel mop, a clothes hanger and an umbrella.
She suffered multiple injuries to her eyes, both her legs, her hands and internal organs. She also had a broken scapula, injuries to her right lung, a blood clot near her brain and a fracture to her cheek.
Rozita was initially charged with attempted murder. She was later charged under Section 326 for voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
On March 15, Rozita was sentenced to a good behaviour bond of five years by the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court even though the prosecution had called on the court to mete out a jail sentence.
Deputy Public Prosecutor, VV Suloshani, who prosecuted, had said the case was covered by the international media and a video on the case went viral on the social media.
“This resulted in the country’s image to be tarnished, and it also affected the good relations between Indonesia and Malaysia.
“Apart from that, this case is among nine most tragic cases involving maid abuse in the country,” she said.
As of March 20, over 64,000 people have signed an online petition on www.change.org calling for justice to be served equally to the rich and poor. (T/RS5/RS1)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agecy (MINA)