RI maids escape death sentence in murder case

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.