Pregnant woman arrested for assaulting five maids

Pregnant woman arrested for assaulting five maids

JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested a West Jakarta woman for
allegedly assaulting her five maids, and have released the
suspect's husband, who was being held in connection with the
assaults.

The head of the region's detectives, Capt. Idham Azis, said
yesterday that the woman, identified as Hong, was arrested at a
relative's house in Taman Sari, West Jakarta, Tuesday night.

Hong, who is eight-months pregnant, had been hiding at the
house since Monday, Idham said.

When police were unable to find Hong at her home, they
detained her husband, Krisman, saying that he should be held
responsible for his wife's behavior.

Idham said yesterday that police did not have enough evidence
to prove the husband's involvement in the case and had released
him Tuesday.

"We're still questioning Hong so I can't tell you why she
abused the maids," he said.

"I can't say whether her emotional state and behavior have
anything to do with her carrying a baby," he said, adding that
pregnant women were often considered temperamental.

Idham said police became aware of the case Monday when four of
the maids -- Nurhikmah, Yati, Tarsini and Unay -- fled from the
house in the Puri Kencana housing estate, Block K8 No. 3,
Kembangan.

The maids reported Hong to the Kembangan Police subprecinct,
alleging that she frequently assaulted them, he said. They
claimed that Hong had slapped, kicked or hit them with a broom
stick.

"We've seen some bruises on their faces and bodies. But those
can't solely be taken as proof of the claims," he said.

The maids have been sent to the Navy hospital in Kedoya, West
Jakarta, for an examination.

"We're expecting to receive the results today (Wednesday),"
Idham said.

Eye injuries

Police were expected to pick up the fifth maid, Umi, from her
hometown in Pekalongan, Central Java, today, he said.

"She will also be sent to the hospital for an examination."

He said Hong had sent Umi home after she suffered severe eye
injuries.

"It's still not clear whether Hong punched Umi in the eye or
hit her with something else."

He said Hong had hired the five maids from domestic help
suppliers, including Setia Bhakti in Cijantung, East Jakarta, and
Pancaran Asih in Jembatan Lima, Central Jakarta.

Four of the maids were paid between Rp 75,000 (US$21) and Rp
150,000 per month. Nurhikmah, who worked as a baby sitter, was
paid Rp 275,000.

Hong allegedly told police during questioning that she had to
punish the maids because they often stole food, including canned
food and two-minute noodles.

She could not stand seeing the maids steal something from her
even though it was only packets of noodles, Idham said.

He said Hong's husband had allegedly told her not to hit the
maids for stealing food but she had not listened.

"Even the head of security in the housing complex, who the
maids had complained to, twice asked the woman to stop beating
them."

This was not the first flare-up at Hong's house, Idham
alleged.

"About three months ago, two maids stopped working at Hong's
house because of her abusive behavior."

He said they did not complain to police but asked mediators to
intervene. (cst)