The Sessions Court today ordered a “datin” housewife to be placed on a good behaviour bond for five years with a surety of RM20,000 for causing grievous hurt on an Indonesian domestic worker.
Judge Mohammed Mokhzani Mokhtar meted out the punishment on Rozita Mohamad Ali, after the woman pleaded guilty today to an amended charge with causing grievous hurt on the domestic worker.
Rozita, 44, was charged with voluntarily causing grievous hurt on Suyanti Sutrinso, 19, with, among others, a knife, a floor mop, umbrella, iron rod and cloth hanger.
She initially pleaded not guilty to an attempted murder charge in 2016.
The offence was committed at a house in Jalan PJU 7/30, Mutiara Damansara here between 7am and noon on June 21, 2016.
When handing down the sentence, Mokhzani said it did not mean that the accused had been freed because if she was found involved in criminal activities, she could be charged again over the same case and sentenced to imprisonment.
The case drew public interest after a video of a woman (victim) ,who was seriously injured and lying near a drain in a housing area in Mutiara Damansara became viral on social media.
Rozita was charged under Section 326 of the Penal Code, which provides an imprisonment for up to 20 years and fine, if found guilty.
Deputy public prosecutor VV Suloshani, who prosecuted, said the case was covered by the international media and a video on the case made viral on the social media.
“This resulted in the country’s image to be tarnished, and it also affected the good relations between Indonesia and Malaysia.
“Apart from that, this case is among nine most tragic cases involving maid abuse in the country,” she said.
Lawyer Rosal Azimin Ahmad, who represented Rozita, said his client changed her plea to guilty after the prosecution called 10 witnesses, including the victim, doctors who treated the domestic worker and a Nepalese security guard.
In asking for his client to be placed on a good behaviour bond, Rosal Azimin said Rozita regretted her actions.
- Bernama
