Indonesian maid in Tanjong Sepat abuse case was accused of theft and damaging property, say Selangor police chief

SHAH ALAM, Oct 23 — An Indonesian domestic helper was allegedly abused by her employers in Tanjong Sepat, Kuala Langat, after being accused of stealing and damaging their belongings, police said.

Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the victim is believed to have started working for the suspects around the end of last year or early this year, Sinar Harian reported.

“Among the motives for the incident was that the victim was accused of stealing the employer’s belongings and damaging property belonging to the employer. That is their claim,” he was quoted as saying at a press conference at the Selangor police headquarters here today.

Shazeli said the victim’s employers, a married couple, were among those detained to assist investigations.

The abuse is reported to have taken place on October 16, leaving the woman with burns all over her body.

Sinar Harian had earlier reported that police detained six people, including an employer, at a business premises in Jalan Merbau, Pusat Perniagaan Oren, Butterworth, Penang, at about 6.30pm.

Five of them, including three women, all aged in their 20s and 30s, were remanded for four days from Tuesday until today. The order was issued by Magistrate Maslinda Selamat at the Telok Datok court.

The case is being investigated under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.