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)