September 6
SINGAPORE/INDONESIA:
RI maids escape death sentence in murder case
2 Indonesian maids were convicted on Monday of killing their employer, but
escaped a death sentence after a Singaporean court found that mental
anguish had led them to commit the murder.
The Singaporean High Court sentenced Juminem, 20, to life and Siti Aminah,
17, to 10 years in jail for killing Esther Ang Imm Suan, Juminem's
employer, in March last year by suffocating her with a pillow and
bludgeoning her with a wine bottle.
Judge Choo Han Teck said the pair were suffering from depression that
impaired their mental capabilities at the time of the killing, AP
reported.
The 2 women's lawyers, who were hired by the Indonesian government, had
asked the court to reduce the charge of murder, which carries a mandatory
death sentence, to one of culpable homicide.
Siti worked for Ang's family and both women said they had suffered months
of abuse by Ang.
Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Moch. Slamet Hidayat hailed the
verdict, which he said was fair.
"It was a fair trial and we feel relieved that the 2 Indonesian citizens
escaped execution," Slamet said.
He added that the embassy would suggest the two maids appeal the verdict
in order to get their sentences reduced, although he said Juminem accepted
the sentence.
The embassy had brought Siti's father, Sabik, and Juminem's uncle Tugino
from North Lampung, Lampung, and Jember, East Java, respectively to
Singapore to provide moral support to the 2 women during the trial.
"We will accompany them to the prison to meet with Siti and Juminem and
discuss whether to appeal the verdict," Slamet said.
There are around 47,000 Indonesian maids out of the around 140,000
employed in Singapore.
Slamet said that Indonesian domestic helpers often encountered complicated
problems, particularly mental distress, as a result of dislocation and
living in an unfamiliar environment.
In Jakarta, migrant worker protection groups welcomed the ruling, but
asked the government to continue legal and diplomatic moves to get the
women's' sentences reduced.
"We are urging the government to protect the 2 maids, as they are victims
anyway," said one activist, Wahyu Susilo.
(source: The Jakarta Post)
