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.