Police detained another woman to assist in the investigation into the case of an Indonesian maid who was allegedly died after being abused at Taman Kota Permai 2 in Bukit Mertajam yesterday.

Seberang Perai Tengah district police chief Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said the 60-year-old woman was arrested in front of a building at Jalan Green Hall, George Town at 2.30pm today.

“After the 28-year-old Adelina Lisio died yesterday, we looked for the mother of the two siblings arrested in connection with the case earlier, but she was missing, believed to be hidden by her children to avoid being arrested.

“The woman lives in the same house and is also believed to have abused the maid,” he said today.

Adelina, who suffered severe injuries including cuts and bruises, died at the Bukit Mertajam Hospital at 4.45pm yesterday and her body was sent to Seberang Jaya Hospital for a post-mortem.

Adelina was found about 8pm on Saturday after police received a report on the alleged abuse from a man who was also assistant to Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Lim.

Police had so far arrested two siblings, aged 36 and 39, who were the victim's employers to assist in investigations.

The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

Nik Ros Azhan said post-mortem report on the maid found that she had died of organ failures and the police did not rule out the possibility that other than being beaten and slapped, the maid’s health was also neglected, including not being given proper food and shelter over the last few months.

“So far the police have recorded the evidence of several witnesses including the neighbours of the victim's employers. Further investigations are still being done,” he said.

- Bernama