Susilo justice promise comforts maid family

(The Standard 22 Jan, 2014) The Indonesian president has vowed justice for the maid allegedly tortured for eight months in Hong Kong while police say a fourth witness has emerged in connection with the case.

 

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called Erwiana Sulistyaningsih to express his sorrow and anger at what he called a "tragedy" shortly before Hong Kong police sent to Jakarta began interviewing her.

On Monday, Hong Kong police arrested the employer, surnamed Law, as she was preparing to board a flight to Bangkok. She had been placed on a stop list after a second helper lodged an abuse complaint against her.

Senior police officer Li Ka-yan, who went to Jakarta, said Erwiana was alert and precise in her answers. "She talked about why she came to work in Hong Kong, the abuse and what she was told to do every day," Li said.

She added that Erwiana reiterated she would return to Hong Kong if needed, though the timing depended on her recovery.

Other officers talked to Erwiana's doctors and met with witnesses, including the Indonesian who accompanied Erwiana when she flew home.

Police chief inspector Chung Chi-ming said they will finish their investigation as soon as possible.

In his call, Yudhoyono told Erwiana: "Believe me, the law will be enforced, justice will be served, what's important is we will help with your treatment." He told her family he had raised the case with Hong Kong's leaders and had asked them to ensure a good working environment for Indonesian workers.

 

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said Hong Kong takes "all reports of helpers being

mistreated very, very seriously."

Erwiana's former employer was yesterday escorted back to her flat in Beverly Garden, Tseung Kwan O, to search for evidence.

Several Indonesian helpers there hailed the arrest.

Police said they will contact a third maid who had worked for Law and is now in Singapore as well as a fourth person who has offered to testify.

A source said Law moved from the mainland after marrying her husband, who works in the securities industry and is seldom at home. They first lived in Tung Tau public housing estate, Wong Tai Sin, before moving to Tai Kok Tsui and later to Tseung Kwan O.

The second complainant, Susi, alleged that Law had once told her she was the goddess of mercy, Guanyin.

She said during a rage, Law told her to kill herself. Later, when she calmed down, she asked Susi to kiss her feet in order to receive blessing from the goddess.

Court records show Law's husband was accused by his former company of owing it HK$1.3 million - HK$620,000 in loans plus interest.

He countersued the company for delaying a payment of HK$1.8 million but the case was thrown out by the Supreme Court for lack of evidence.

 

Qi Luo