Battered maid files report against singer Imaniar, spouse

JAKARTA (JP): A battered woman filed a complaint with city police on Wednesday against her employers, local singer Imaniar and her husband, for alleged physical abuse.

The victim, identified only as Is, told police she was physically abused by Imaniar's husband, Sri Lankan-born Mohammed Malcom Don, better known as Max Don, several times.

She was allegedly last battered on Tuesday, when Don slapped her several times and beat her repeatedly with a blunt object for failing to wash her employers clothes properly.

"As a result, I suffered bruises on my neck, and both my eyes, as you can see, are swollen. I have bruises on my hip and my legs are swollen. I was beaten because they (Ismaniar and husband) said I didn't wash their clothes properly. This was not the first time I was physically abused," Is told police.

Is' complaint was recorded by First. Insp. Wulandari of the Women's Special Crimes Division (RPK).

Is alleged Max had beaten her many times and although Imaniar knew about it, she remained silent.

"This man had also forced me to do wrongful acts and threatened to beat me if I didn't comply. However, since there were no witnesses to this, I can only file a physical abuse complaint," Is told officers on Wednesday.

Is is currently staying at a maidservant agency in Central Jakarta, police said.

"This woman was brought to us by Pulo Gadung Police station officers who first took her to a hospital for examination," Adj. Comr. Toyib of the city police told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

The hospital report confirmed Is was physically abused.

Toyib said Is managed to escape from Imaniar's house and ran for help to the neighborhood unit office. She was then taken to the Pulo Gadung Police station.

Toyib added that two witnesses mentioned in the police report would be questioned over the battery charge.

Imaniar, 35, a rap artist dubbed "Indonesia's Janet Jackson" for her dance moves, married Max Don, 34, in February 1996.

The couple could not be reached for comment. (ylt)