News

Tuesday October 2, 2012

Jail term against housewife in Nirmala abuse case stays


PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal here upheld a High Court’s decision in imposing a 12-year jail term on housewife Yim Pek Ha who was found guilty on three counts of inflicting injuries on Indonesian maid Nirmala Bonat, eight years ago.

A three-men bench, headed by Justice Datuk Clement Allan Skinner, said they unanimously agreed that there was no reason for the apex court to disturb the findings of the High Court.

However, Skinner said the court took into consideration the fact that the appellant (Yim) had already served two months under remand after her detention in 2008.

Therefore, Yim only needed to serve a total of 11 years and 10 months, he added.

Immediately after the decision, Yim, 44, broke down in tears and hugged her husband, family members and friends who were in the public gallery.

She started her jail term at the Kajang Women’s Prison effective yesterday.

The two other judges were Datuk Linton Albert and High Court judge Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim.

Yim, 44, was charged with four counts of causing grievous hurt on Nirmala at her apartment in Villa Putera, Jalan Tun Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, in January, March and April 2004.

She was found guilty and sentenced to 18 years’ jail by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on three counts of causing grievous hurt to Nirmala with a hot iron and hot water, but was acquitted on the fourth charge of causing hurt to the maid with a metal cup.

Upon her appeal to the Kuala Lumpur High Court, her jail term was reduced to 12 years. — Bernama

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story
  • Bookmark and Share