RI maids escape death sentence in murder case

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam

Two Indonesian maids were convicted on Monday of killing their employer, but escaped a death sentence after a Singaporean court found that mental anguish had led them to commit the murder.

The Singaporean High Court sentenced Juminem, 20, to life and Siti Aminah, 17, to 10 years in jail for killing Esther Ang Imm Suan, Juminem's employer, in March last year by suffocating her with a pillow and bludgeoning her with a wine bottle.

Judge Choo Han Teck said the pair were suffering from depression that impaired their mental capabilities at the time of the killing, AP reported.

The two women's lawyers, who were hired by the Indonesian government, had asked the court to reduce the charge of murder, which carries a mandatory death sentence, to one of culpable homicide.

Siti worked for Ang's family and both women said they had suffered months of abuse by Ang.

Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Moch. Slamet Hidayat hailed the verdict, which he said was fair.

"It was a fair trial and we feel relieved that the two Indonesian citizens escaped execution," Slamet said.

He added that the embassy would suggest the two maids appeal the verdict in order to get their sentences reduced, although he said Juminem accepted the sentence.

The embassy had brought Siti's father, Sabik, and Juminem's uncle Tugino from North Lampung, Lampung, and Jember, East Java, respectively to Singapore to provide moral support to the two women during the trial.

"We will accompany them to the prison to meet with Siti and Juminem and discuss whether to appeal the verdict," Slamet said.

There are around 47,000 Indonesian maids out of the around 140,000 employed in Singapore.

Slamet said that Indonesian domestic helpers often encountered complicated problems, particularly mental distress, as a result of dislocation and living in an unfamiliar environment.

In Jakarta, migrant worker protection groups welcomed the ruling, but asked the government to continue legal and diplomatic moves to get the women's' sentences reduced.

"We are urging the government to protect the two maids, as they are victims anyway," said one activist, Wahyu Susilo.