A 42-year-old woman received a four-week jail sentence today after admitting to multiple instances of abuse against her Indonesian domestic helper.
Norwahidah Johari pleaded guilty to one count of intentionally causing hurt and two counts of criminal violence. Five additional charges of criminal violence were considered during sentencing.
The 33-year-old victim, Putri Rizki Amelia, began working in Johari’s home in March 2023. Court documents show the abuse started in August, when Johari threw a garbage bin at the helper’s head, causing trash to fall on her face.
Other abusive acts included throwing shoes and flour at the victim, and splashing water on her face twice.
On September 28, 2023, around midnight, Johari confronted the helper about not storing a soy sauce bottle in the refrigerator. She claimed she had reminded the victim multiple times over a period of one and a half months. When the helper tried to explain, Johari opened the bottle and poured soy sauce on the victim’s head. After the victim said to pour the rest as well, Johari complied.
In another incident that September, Johari asked the helper to remove seeds from chilies. After the victim processed them twice, Johari insisted seeds remained and threw the bowl of chilies at the victim’s face, causing significant eye discomfort.
In early October, Johari became angry after smelling urine on her sofa. Despite the helper explaining she had already cleaned a morning stain, Johari claimed the sofa still smelled. She told the victim the furniture was very expensive and that she couldn’t afford to replace it. Johari then grabbed and twisted the helper’s ear for several seconds, causing sharp pain.
