Employer allegedly poured hot water into helper's mouth over soy sauce dispute

SERDANG – An Indonesian domestic helper is recovering after allegedly being abused by her employer, who reportedly poured hot water into her mouth simply because she failed to mention she wanted to use soy sauce with her meal.

The shocking case came to light after a 37-year-old man received a distressing message from his sister on Oct 19, alerting him that something had allegedly happened at their home.

When he contacted her, he was told their mother had allegedly abused the helper.

Serdang District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Muhamad Farid Ahmad said the alleged abuse included forcing hot water into the victim’s mouth over a trivial matter.

Investigations further revealed that the helper had allegedly suffered previous physical assaults, such as having her breast pinched until it bled and became infected, being splashed with hot water on her legs, and being kicked in the mouth, causing her teeth to break.

Acting on a tip-off, police arrested a 59-year-old local woman at about 1am on Oct 20 and successfully rescued the victim.

A subsequent arrest of the woman’s husband, also 59, was made on Oct 23.

The case is being investigated under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007 and Section 326 of the Penal Code.

Upon completion of investigations, both suspects were charged at the Klang Sessions Court on Oct 24 under Section 13(a) of Atipsom 2007, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code.

Both accused pleaded not guilty and were granted bail of RM20,000 each with one surety, while their passports were surrendered to the court.

Farid urged the public to report any information about worker exploitation or related crimes to the nearest police station or contact the Serdang District Police Headquarters at 03-8074 2222.