Abuse victim Nirmala ordered to deposit security for costs

The Court of Appeal ordered abused Indonesian maid Nirmala Bonat to deposit RM5,000 in security for costs in Putrajaya today.

The order was sought by Nirmala’s former employers, housewife Yim Pek Ha ( left ) and her husband Hik Ik Ting, who are being sued by their former maid for the pain and suffering she underwent while working for the couple, eight years ago.

They applied to secure legal costs from Nirmala, who has since returned to her hometown, in the event she loses her civil suit against them.

A three-man panel led by Justice Sulaiman Daud allowed the couple’s appeal but ordered only a sum of RM5,000 to be deposited rather than the RM50,000 sought by the couple.

The panel, also comprising Justices Alizatul Khair Osman Khairuddin and Anantham Kasinather, overturned the decision of a High Court senior assistant registrar which dismissed their application for the security for costs on Feb 10, this year.

In her statement of claim against Yim and her husband, Nirmala, from Desa Tuapakas in Kota Kupang, is seeking general damages for pain and suffering, in excess of RM40,000 in special damages for loss of income, medical expenses and other costs deemed fit by the court.  

Nirmala ( right ) claimed she was abused by Yim many times, causing her mental anguish and physical injury, and was also humiliated and insulted throughout the time she worked as a maid for the couple at Villa Putera in Jalan Tun Ismail between September 2003 and May 17, 2004.  

She claimed that Yim used a hot iron, hot water, a metal cup and plastic hanger to inflict injuries on her.

Yim was sentenced to 18 years in jail by the Sessions Court for causing grievous hurt to Nirmala. Her jail term was then reduced to 12 years upon her appeal to the High Court.

The appeal and cross-appeal by Yim and the prosecution respectively, against the High Court decision is pending at the Court of Appeal.

Nirmala was represented by M Kavimani and the couple by Jagjit Singh.

- Bernama