A COUPLE arrested in Johor for allegedly abusing their maid, 36-year-old Indian national Aishabeevi, by
beating her with a helmet and belt, are expected to be charged today.

Johor Baru Selatan police chief ACP Zainuddin Yaacob said the two suspects, a 22-year-old assistant  supervisor working in Singapore, and his 29-year-old wife, will be charged with causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means.

“We will be bringing them to the Sessions Court tomorrow (today) and both will be charged with the same offence,” he said.

The charge is classified under Section 324 of the Penal Code and carries a penalty of three years maximum imprisonment, or with fine or whipping or any two such punishments.

Zainuddin said Aishabeevi, who was now in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, with her family, will need to fly back to Malaysia to attend the court hearings when it starts. The couple was picked up at 4pm at their home in Taman Gaya, Johor Baru, on Oct 6.

Aside from the physical abuse, the couple was also accused of forcing their maid, a Muslim, to eat pork and forbidding her from performing daily prayers.

Malay Mail previously highlighted the woman’s plight. She had first run away on July 15 to lodge a police report but was taken back to her employers as she had failed to state her abuse.

On Oct 2, with the help of a neighbour, she ran away again and came to Kuala Lumpur — where a restaurant owner and NGOs helped report her plight.