Ismiyati sues Saudi princess for assault

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Memet Ismiyati, an Indonesian maid assaulted by her employer while working in the U.S., has filed suit against the woman, a Saudi princess, for an attack that she says caused her physical and mental trauma.

An Indonesian diplomat in Houston told The Jakarta Post in a telephone interview on Thursday that Ismiyati, 36, is now under the protection of Florida State officials.

Ismiyati is seeking an undisclosed amount of money in damages in the civil suit filed Wednesday, Associated Press reported.

Princess Buniah al-Saud, al-Saud, a niece of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, was charged Monday with felony battery for allegedly hitting Ismiyati's head against a wall and pushing her down a staircase.

Ismiyati is currently walking with a cane.

Al-Saud was also charged Tuesday with grand theft and dealing in stolen property for trying to sell electronics equipment and furniture belonging to a former driver. She is free in lieu of US$5,000 bail.

Her attorney, Bud Bennington, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

In the lawsuit, Ismiyati accused al-Saud of hitting her several times, choking her once and verbally abusing her.

Al-Saud, 41, could receive up to 15 years in prison if convicted of felony battery. She faces an additional 10 years in prison for the theft along with stolen property charges.

Lingga Setiawan, a diplomat at the Indonesian Consulate in Houston, said that protection was given to Ismiyati because her lawsuit against the princess was in process.

"Such a protection is given to prevent interference from the other party about her case," Lingga added.

He said at the phone from Houston that, because of the Florida's state protection, he has not been able to speak directly with Ismiyati. He added the information he had received about Ismiyati came from a local police officer.

Lingga, who is handling Ismiyati's case, said the police officer told him that Ismiyati was recovering after she received medical treatment.

According to Lingga, Ismiyati was taken to Florida by Princess Al-Saud, where she is studying at a local university. He said Ismiyati's U.S. visa was obtained by Saudi woman.

Meanwhile, the consular official at the Indonesian consulate in Houston, Bambang Irawan Kromodimulyo, said that Indonesian embassy in Washington has asked consular officials in Houston to follow Ismiyati's case.

"We are ready to help Ismiyati -- we have tasked Pak Lingga to collect information about her," Bambang told the Post.