Singapore couple jailed for starving Philippine maid

SINGAPORE: A couple who starved their Philippine maid until she weighed just 29kg were jailed yesterday, in a case described as “shocking” by prosecutors, who are appealing for stiffer sentences.

Trader Lim Choon Hong, 48, was jailed three weeks and fined S$10,000 (RM32,000), while his wife Chong Sui Foon, also 48, was jailed three months.

Both were convicted last year of violating employment laws for failing to provide enough food for their maid, Thelma Oyasan Gawidan, over a 15-month period in 2013 and 2014.

Gawidan, who is in her 40s, had no access to her mobile phone, was not allowed to go out on her own to buy food, and only allowed to shower twice a week.

She ran away in April 2014. AFP