R Vigneswary, 37, was also ordered by judge Zulqarnain Hassan to pay RM55,000 in cash to Rosmalina, 55.

In handing down the sentence on the mother of triplets, Zulqarnain said the accused should have exercised prudence and treated the victim with sensitivity rather than acting emotionally, Bernama reported.

“Domestic workers are human beings, not punch bags to be used to vent frustration. It is evident that the victim suffered regular injuries and pain including in the head, neck, ears and thighs.

“Besides the issue of non-payment, as a woman, the accused is expected to show respect towards the victim, who is older and akin to other mothers,” the judge said.

Vigneswary was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code with four counts of voluntarily causing hurt to the victim in a house in Section U13 Setia Alam, Shah Alam, from February to May 2021.

She was also charged under Section 324 for causing pain and injury to the victim’s leg with a hot iron spoon in April 2021 at the same location.

Vigneswary was also charged with trafficking for exploitation by use of force under Section 13(b) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.

Vigneswary’s counsel, Tham Weng Kin and Ayasamy Venu, sought a stay on sentencing, citing their client’s health problems which required medical treatment, and the necessity to secure funds for paying fines and compensating the victim.

Deputy public prosecutor Edna Lau objected, contending that medical treatment could be administered while serving her sentence.

The court granted the stay, and ordered the accused to pay all fines and compensate the victim within six months.