Couple held over death of Indonesian maid in Labuan

LABUAN: Police have detained a couple on suspicion of physically torturing their 44-year-old Indonesian maid to death at the staff quarters at Labuan Air Force Base Membidai here on April 2.

The suspects, both aged 31, were arrested on Thursday following Labuan Hospital forensic pathologist’s conclusion on April 5.

The autopsy revealed signs of physical abuse based injuries on the forehead, bruises on the left and right eyes, and arms of the deceased, identified as Rosnia Tanjung.

Labuan police chief Supt Adzhar Othman said the man, an air force staff, and his wife, a civil servant, have been remanded for seven days to facilitate investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

“We received a police report from the man on April 2 on the death of his Indonesian maid in his house’s toilet at about 5 pm and we investigated the case as sudden death.

“However, after we sent the body for post mortem, the forensic pathologist found there were bruises that could have been caused by long term abuse and torture, then we suspected foul play and reopened the case,” he said.

He said the man, an alleged drug offender who would go on trial on April 25 for a charge under Section 15(1)(a) of the Drug Dangerous Act 1952 was handed over to police by the Labuan Air Force Provost Team at 10.35 am.