In the Shah Alam High Court today, judicial commissioner Tun Majid Tun Hamzah, in allowing the sentence review by deputy public prosecutor Iskandar Ahmad, ruled that the good behaviour bond imposed by the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court earlier this month was incorrect.
Rozita Mohd Ali was also ordered by the High Court to serve her jail sentence immediately, as stay of execution was denied.
Tenaganita director Glorene Das said the group strongly believed that the only way to eliminate serious violence towards any person is for perpetrators to be prosecuted and jailed for lengthy periods of time.
“So, Datin Rozita has been jailed eight years instead of just getting a five-year good behaviour bond. She had voluntarily caused grievous hurt using dangerous weapons such as a knife, a floor mop, umbrella, iron rod and cloth hanger.
“But is the imprisonment verdict sufficient?” she asked.
“That is a question to be debated, but this verdict is a way forward to bring to an end the climate of impunity afforded to employers and recruiting agencies in Malaysia.
“This is especially for those who abuse, cheat, severely harm or even carry out acts that lead to the deaths of domestic workers, with little consequence to them,” she told FMT.
Domestic work is a proper job
Glorene also agreed with Tun Majid who said the lower court’s order for the good behaviour bond did not reflect the seriousness of the offence committed by Rozita.
She said abuse and violence against domestic workers will only end when the governance of recruitment, placement and employment of domestic workers is determined by recognising domestic work as a proper job, with its benefits and rights.
It is time for the government and all the relevant ministries to stop giving political assurances that do not actually provide proper protection of rights, she added.
“Such assurances are only a temporary pacifier and concession.
“The fundamental rights of domestic workers can be protected by ensuring a system of employment where there is decent wage and decent work, with respect and dignity given to the worker,” Glorene said.
She added that the government, and the public too, must not allow modern-day slavery, as is manifested in domestic labour.
“The answer and response lies in us. We are challenged to change our perceptions, attitudes and be able to define our responsibilities to the domestic worker, so that we create an environment where the worker and the family of the employer are happy.
“The domestic worker manages our home and cares for our children or the elderly.
“Our responsibility lies in ensuring she is recognised as a worker with decent work, safe environment, respect and dignity,” she said.
On March 15, Rozita, 44, was let off with a good behaviour bond of five years by Sessions Court judge Mohammed Mokhzani Mokhtar after pleading guilty to causing grievous hurt to Indonesian domestic worker Suyanti Sutrinso. The prosecution had pressed for a jail sentence, considering the severity of the crime.
The sentence and lack of a jail sentence sparked outrage, with lawyers saying the judge had been very lenient on her.
A video of Suyanti seriously injured and lying near a drain in a housing area in Mutiara Damansara had gone viral in December 2016.
It was reported then that Rozita had allegedly used a kitchen knife, a clothes hanger, a steel mop and an umbrella to cause multiple injuries to Suyanti’s head, hands, legs and internal organs.
An online petition against the court’s sentence attracted over 70,000 signatures.