Mother and two children remanded until Feb 19 and Feb 21 respectively.
- Deceased could have been just 21 years old, not 26
- Abused maid could have obtained work in Malaysia through illegal agent
- Indonesian agency claims victim had scars from animal bites
- Family in Indonesia informed of death
The two siblings being held over the death of Indonesian maid Adelina Lisao were remanded for an extra seven days beginning on Feb 14.
The duo arrived at the Bukit Mertajam magistrate’s court yesterday, clad in orange and purple lock-up attire.
The man arrived at about 9.40am in a police truck while the woman arrived shortly after in a police patrol car.
Court registrar Nor Hapipah Abdullah granted the police application to further remand the siblings to facilitate investigations for murder.
They were arrested on Feb 10 and remanded on Sunday for four days.
At about 10.40am, both were taken back to the police lockup in a van.
On Tuesday, police also obtained a remand for their 60-year-old mother in connection with the case.
She will be in remand until Feb 19.
Police have questioned the agency that recruited Adelina, with reports alleging illegal agents were involved.
Central Seberang Prai OCPD Asst Comm Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said a statement was taken from the Nibong Tebal-based agent.
He did not, however, reveal if the agency itself was licensed.
Nik Ros was responding to the Agency for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers deputy chairman Teguh Hendro Cahyono, who reportedly said Adelina obtained work in Malaysia through an illegal agent.
Teguh Hendro claimed Adelina worked here from 2014, meaning she was only 17 when she was sent, and 21 when she died on Sunday.
On the discrepancy over Adelina’s age, Nik Ros said her passport showed she was 26 years of age.
On Monday, Nusron Wahid, head of the Agency for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, was reported by the Jakarta-based Kompas news portal as saying that the scars on Adelina’s right arm were believed to be from bites by an animal.
He said those on her left arm were the result of being affected by a chemical.
According to the report, the information was confirmed by an official who had seen
Adelina’s body and had met a forensics expert at the Seberang Jaya Hospital.
It also alleged that it was further confirmed by police officers from the Central Seberang Perai district police headquarters.
“As of now, the cause of death is determined to be anaemia, loss of blood and malnutrition as a result of neglect over a long period by the family that had employed her.
“However, the forensic examination did not find any traces of beatings and internal injuries,” Nusron was quoted saying.
He added Adelina had wounds that had not been treated and had become infected, leading to organ failure in her body.
Meanwhile, the Consulate General of Indonesia in Penang said they had managed to trace Adelina’s family back home in Nusa Tenggara Timur.
Its Deputy Consul General Osrinikita Zubhana said they initially had difficulty in contacting the family due to the absence of personal data.
“However, with the help of all, once we received Adelina’s personal details, we immediately contacted the Indonesian authority.
“We were told that her parents have been informed,” she said.
Osrinikita expressed hope that the post-mortem process can be expedited so that they can make the necessary preparations to send the remains home.
ACP Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said police have yet to get the full post-mortem report.
“We are investigating the case from various angles to ascertain the cause which led to her death,” he added.
Adelina was rescued by police last Saturday following suspected repeated abuse by her employers.
She died at 4.45pm on Sunday while being treated at the Bukit Mertajam Hospital.
When found at her employer’s home at Taman Kota Permai, Bukit Mertajam, she had severe injuries on her head and face, and infected burn wounds on her hands and legs.
She had also been seen sleeping next to a Rottweiler for two months.
The case, which was initially investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt, is now investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Earlier reports:
Feb 13, Mother of Siblings Implicated in Abused Maid’s Death Arrested
Feb 12, Maid Forced to Sleep Outside Next to Dog’s Kennel Dies, Two Siblings Detained