Outrageous! AG must explain clearing employer of maid's murder – Paulsen

Dropping the murder charge against a Malaysian employer in connection with the death of her Indonesian maid is outrageous, Malaysia's representative to the Asean intergovernmental commission on human rights Eric Paulsen said.

Speaking to Malaysiakini this afternoon, he said Attorney-General Tommy Thomas must explain the rationale behind the move.

“I just cannot understand why the DPP in charge of the prosecution would do such a thing.

“This was one of the most serious abuse cases ever seen in Malaysia and yet the DPP somehow saw fit to drop the charge. I can't imagine what circumstances would justify the DPP's action as his or her decision has led to grave injustice and impunity.

“It sends the wrong message, time and time again, that the lives of migrant workers are of no value and perpetrators of serious abuse can get away simply because the law does not equally apply to protect migrant workers,” Paulsen said.

If Thomas does not explain the matter, he added, then it would lead the public to think that some unjustifiable or ulterior motivations were involved.

Previously, it was reported that the deceased, Adelina Lisao, was allegedly tortured and forced to sleep with the dog outside her employer's house in Penang.

The 21-year-old Indonesian national died in February last year after being found outside the house with her head and face swollen and covered in wounds.

Her employer, S Ambika (in photo above), was charged with murder, but the charge was dropped last week.

Meanwhile, news agency AFP quoted the executive director of Indonesian NGO Migrant Care Wahyu Susilo as condemning the acquittal.

Wahyu said the employer might have been cleared due to failure to get key witnesses such as Adelina's parents to testify at the trial, and he called on Jakarta to lodge a protest.

An online petition - "Why is her abuser free? - Malaysians demand #JusticeForAdelina" - questioning the court's decision has garnered close to 11,000 signatures at the time of writing.

According to Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, Thomas has pledged to investigate why the charge was dropped.  - Mkini