Petition calling for justice over Adelina's death hits 10,000 signatures
NATION
Tuesday, 23 Apr 20195:24 PM MYT
by bernard cheah
image: https://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/online/2019/04/23/09/33/petition-adelina.ashx/?w=620&h=413&crop=1&hash=E0B639E4BA04BC5DAA3930F336420603AA55D44F
Screengrab taken from www.change.org
PETALING JAYA: A petition demanding justice over the death of Indonesian domestic worker Adelina Jerima Sau has surpassed 10,000 signatures.
The petition - www.change.org (https://www.change.org/p/why-is-her-abuser-free-malaysians-demand-justiceforadelina - was initiated by Tenaganita on Sunday (April 21), after it was reported that Adelina's employer S. Ambika, was acquitted by the Penang High Court on April 18.
"Adelina was a 21-year-old Indonesian domestic worker who died in Bukit Mertajam hospital on Feb 11, 2018, after enduring abuse by her employers.
"By then, she had already suffered physical and emotional abuse, and forced labour at her employers' hands for two years.
The petition added that on April 18, Ambika, walked free.
"The High Court granted her a full acquittal. She will face no consequences, following Adelina’s death," it said.
The petition calls on the Attorney General’s Chambers to provide the public with an explanation on the decision made and what transpired during the court proceedings that led to Ambika's acquittal.
It also called for the use of every possible legal avenue to ensure justice for Adelina.
"(We demand) that the Domestic Workers’ Bill be tabled, debated and passed in Parliament as soon as possible," it added.
The petition is addressed to Attorney General Tommy Thomas, Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran, and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong.
At the time of writing, the petition received 11,550 signatures, with many voicing their support.
Om Prakash wrote, "Justice needs to be served no matter race, religion or country the person is from (sic)."
Maureen Soon said: "I am not satisfied that the abuser is free after what she had done to Adelina Sau."
Nanie Othman added it is absolutely unjust that the person who caused the death of a human being is not being charged.
"How do you explain this injustice to Adelina's family?
"Surely her parents had the highest of hopes for her, hoping she can lift the family out of abject poverty, but instead, find her returned in a coffin, her body full of scars," Nanie said.
Adelina's case last year shocked the country. She was rescued from her employer's house in Taman Kota Permai, Bukit Mertajam, in a weak state after a neighbour took a photograph of her stranded outside the house.
When rescued, Adelina was found to have serious injuries over her body, with pus-filled wounds due to burns on her arms and legs, while her face was swollen.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/04/23/petition-calling-for-justice-over-adelina-death-hits-10000-signatures/#8yEQhBUbuTcvcjv4.99
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