Paper sets up fund for maid's family

Paper sets up fund for maid's family

Agence France-Presse, Singapore

A Singaporean newspaper on Friday launched a fund-raising drive
for the family of an Indonesian maid who was beaten to death by
her employer in a case that has shocked the city-state.

The Business Times said an article by one of its columnists on
the murder of 19-year-old maid Muawanatul Chasanah had sparked a
flood of letters from Singaporeans wanting to contribute money to
her family.

Tour guide Ng Hua Chye, 47, was sentenced to more than 18
years' jail and 12 strokes of the cane for manslaughter in July
for the maid's death following nine months of beatings which left
more than 200 injuries.

The case of Muawanatul, whose emaciated body was covered in
scars, bruises and scald marks, was the first instance of a maid
killed by an employer here.

The Business Times said it had set up a fund to be managed by
Heartware Network, a charity. One reader has already offered
S$1,000 (US$565).

"The setting up of the fund will allow Singaporeans to play a
part in alleviating the grief and financial burden of
Muawanatul's family," Heartware founding chairman Raymond Huang
said.

"We hope the family and others out there will realize that
there are many Singaporeans who have the heart and humanity to
treat people -- regardless of their class or status -- with
respect and decency," he said.

The maid's death has triggered much soul-searching among
Singaporeans and launched one of the most extensive debates on
the plight of foreign workers in the wealthy state.

There are some 140,000 foreign maids officially accredited in
Singapore, including more than 70,000 Filipinos, 55,000
Indonesians and 12,000 Sri Lankans.