KUALA LUMPUR: Two women were ordered by the Ampang Sessions Court here to enter their defence on charges of trafficking an Indonesian woman and employing the woman as a maid without a valid permit.
Judge Wan Mohd Norisham Wan Yaakob ordered consultant Ong Su Ping Serene, 56, and businesswoman Sang Yoke Leng, 53, to enter their defence after ruling that the prosecution had succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against them at the end of the prosecution’s case.
The judge said there was evidence showing the victim had been exploited by the two women, who were also violent against the victim.
“The court found that the victim agreed to work as a maid but not to be used as a ‘punching bag’,” he said.
In the judge’s ruling, it was revealed that Ong had brought the victim to her residence under the pretence of employment as a maid. During the victim’s testimony, she recounted a series of disturbing incidents, including being coerced into consuming rice with chillies, being subjected to humiliating exercises while unclothed, being prohibited from closing the bathroom door while bathing, being made to eat from a dog bowl, and enduring physical assault and threats.
“The second accused (Sang) witnessed the violent act by the first accused but did not stop it; instead, she struck the victim,” he said, adding that the maid was not taken to a clinic for treatment other than being given salt water to gargle.
Wan Mohd Norisham said the victim, in her testimony, also stated that she was also locked up and threatened by the two accused, as well as forbidden to meet and talk to anyone.
He also cited testimony by a neighbour, who is a prosecution witness, of hearing a person crying at night until early morning before receiving a note from the victim stating that she was depressed and threatened. The maid was rescued on Dec 20, 2014.
Seeking justice: Meriance seen at Ampang Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur.
“The witness stated that she was shocked on seeing the victim’s swollen face,” said the judge, adding that an expert witness stated that the injuries to the victim were the result of her being beaten and kicked.
The court also found that the victim worked for long hours without enough rest, never took a holiday, was not free to move around, and was always in fear.
The two women are charged with trafficking Meriance Kabu, then 32 years old, for exploitation as a maid in a house at Persiaran Pandan 7, Pandan Jaya, here between April and Dec 20, 2014. If found guilty, they could potentially face a 20-year prison sentence and a fine.
They also faced charges for hiring an individual without a valid work permit at the same location and time. If convicted, they face a fine of up to RM50,000 or a maximum of 12 months imprisonment, or both.
Meanwhile, the court acquitted Ong on two counts of causing serious injury and attempted murder on Meriance, finding that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against her.
Ong was charged with intentionally causing serious injury to Meriance by pulling out four of her teeth using pliers at the same location between April 11 and Dec 20, 2014.
She was also charged with attempting to kill Meriance at the same place at 6pm on Dec 20 of the same year.
Deputy public prosecutor Anisah Pisol appeared for the prosecution, while lawyer S. Preakas represented Ong and Sang.
