Lee: Throw the book at abusive employers

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) wants stern action to be taken against employers who abuse and commit inhumane acts against their maids.

Its senior vice-chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, said what was most unacceptable was physical abuse and, as such, severe punishment must be meted out to perpetrators.

“Such acts can be described as a ‘crime against humanity’ and has sparked anger and affected our good ties with neighbouring countries,” he said yesterday.

Lee said the most severe punishment should be imposed on the employers if they were found guilty.

He was commenting on a recent case where 21-year-old Adelina Lisao from Indonesia died at Bukit Mertajam Hospital after she was rescued by police.

The domestic worker was allegedly abused by her employers in Penang and forced to sleep in the porch with their dog for a month.

Migrant rights group Tenaganita said the victim was rescued by police and sent to hospital after the Bukit Mertajam member of parliament’s office lodged a report on Saturday.

“Employers who have difficulty coping with their foreign maids should be patient and try to sort things out with them instead of physically abusing them.

“If the maids are not suitable after a certain given time, employers can send them back and have them replaced. The Immigration Department can help them expedite their applications,” said Lee, who is also a social activist.

He said those who had helped expose such cases and made public the issue of physical abuse of foreign maids should be commended.

“The offenders should be charged in court if there is sufficient evidence against them. The Immigration Department must also blacklist the employers and bar them from employing maids,” he said.