Woman, 59, charged with Indonesian maid's murder

Ambika (second from right) and her daughter Jayavartiny being led to court on Wednesday.

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The 59-year-old woman who allegedly abused her Indonesian maid to death has been charged at the magistrate's court here Wednesday.

S. Ambika (Ambika a/p M A Shan) was charged with causing the death of Adelina Lisao at a house in Medan Kota Permai 2, Taman Kota Permai here at 5pm on Feb 10, 2018.

The charge was made under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder which carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

No plea was recorded from Ambika.

Her daughter Jayavartiny was charged with hiring Adelina despite knowing the latter had no valid work permit.

If convicted, the offence under Section 55B of the Immigration Act for harbouring the illegal foreign worker carries a fine between RM10,000 to RM50,000, a jail term of no more than 12 months, or both.

She claimed trial to the charge.

Both Ambika and her daughter R. Jayavartiny, 32, arrived at the courthouse in a police van at about 1.50pm.

Jayavartiny's brother who was also arrested in connection to the case, has been released but will appear as a witness during the trial.

Magistrate Muhamad Anas Mahadzir then set April 19 for mention for both cases, and allowed RM15,000 bail with one surety for Jayavartiny.

DPP Hamzah Azhan prosecuted while Jayavartiny was represented by lawyer Muhaimin Hashim.

Police arrested the mother on Feb 12, two days after Jayavartiny and her 39-year-old brother were arrested over the alleged abuse of Adelina.

Adelina, 21, died at Bukit Mertajam Hospital on Feb 11 after being rescued a day earlier from the suspects' home at Taman Kota Permai here, where she was found sleeping on the porch with a Rottweiler.

She had wounds on her body and died of multiple organ failure.