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Malaysian couple to hang for starving Indonesian maid

16 Comments

A Malaysian couple have been sentenced to hang for murdering their Indonesian maid by starving her to death, according to reports Friday that said she weighed just 26 kilograms when she died.

In the latest case of abuse against the legion of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia, the High Court ruled on Thursday that 26-year-old Isti Komariyah died of deliberate starvation in June 2011.

Judge Noor Azian Shaari said Fong Kong Meng, 58 and his wife Teoh Ching Yen, 56, consistently withheld food from the young woman during the three years she worked for them.

"She was 26 and weighed barely 26kg when she was taken to the University Malaya Medical Centre with bruises and scratch marks on her back, arms and forehead," The Star newspaper reported.

Isti was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. She had weighed 46 kilos (101 pounds) when she first started working for the couple.

The court and the couple's lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment.

Malaysia relies on an estimated two million Indonesians who toil in plantation, construction, factory and domestic work -- both legally and illegally.

Allegations of abuse against foreign laborers have included overwork, beatings, sexual abuse and torture.

A Cambodian maid was starved to death in 2012 by her employers, earning them 24 years in jail. Cambodia had stopped sending maids a year earlier over other abuses.

But poor Indonesian women have continued to arrive.

Malaysia has taken some steps toward improving the welfare of domestic workers, including requiring at least one day off per week and nearly doubling minimum monthly salaries to 700 ringgit ($210).

But activists say it is difficult to enforce these requirements.

The Indonesian embassy estimates 400,000 women work in Malaysia as maids -- about half illegally. Indonesian workers account for roughly half of all foreign laborers.

The two Muslim neighbors' closer scrutiny of the issue has slowed processing of legal domestic workers, causing a shortage that has fueled the efforts of traffickers bringing in illegals, activists say.

© (c) 2014 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

16 Comments
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Good. Now, maybe others will take notice.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Sadly, this is modern day slavery

4 ( +6 / -2 )

The state murders as retribution for murder, but who murders the state?

-4 ( +2 / -5 )

Honestly, I'd rather East Asian countries focus energies on stopping the human trafficking and forced labour that is happening in the region today, instead of trotting out old grievances for actions perpetrated by our grandparents.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Why hang? Starve them to death!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I am as Malaysian and I know of many cases of abuse but no use to report because of corruption at all levels of government . Money talks. And who you know.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

From their names, the maid's employers were clearly ethnic Chinese. I wonder if a Malaysian court would pronounce a similar death sentence on a Malaysian Muslim couple.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

"Why hang? Starve them to death!"

Word! ( Hear, hear! )

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Good on the Malaysian government and for the poor Indonesian lady may she rest in peace!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

" Hang 'em HIGH " .

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Blatant slavery... in the year 2014. This is a reason to keep historical lessons in mind folks. Those that forget are doomed to repeat it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I live now in KL and 99% of my neighbours treat their maids like slaves. It is just the norm here: confiscated passport, 18 hours work daily, not allowed to talk to other people/maids, no phone, keeping them starving (we are giving food to one of them!) ... and legislator doing nothing. 21st century! What a shame!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

" Hang 'em HIGH "

Exactly.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@GalapagosnoGairaishu

Malaysia's death penalty doesn't discriminate race/religion/nationality. Given rigid proof, the sentence will be carried.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

My high impression of Malaysia is harmed by these posts. But good that those two will get what they deserve.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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