(AFP) An Indonesian maid working in Malaysia suffered serious injuries to her fingers inflicted with an object like a hammer, a trial heard today.

Marni Anyin, 24, of Pak Kumbang in the Indonesian province of West Kalimantan, suffered fractures to a finger and thumb, hospital medical officer Kon Ka Hin told the trial in the east Malaysian state of Sarawak.

The case has sparked anti-Malaysian demonstrations in neighbouring West Kalimantan on Borneo island.

Families of Malaysian consular staff at Pontianak were flown home last week amid threats of more protests outside the mission.

Malaysia's immigration department has advised people to temporarily stop visiting the province. Some Malaysian travellers were reportedly stopped by a protesting crowd in Marni's home village but were not harmed, Bernama news agency said.

Housewife faces two charges

Housewife Shalini Shanmugam, 44, faces two charges of causing grievous hurt to Marni at her home in the state capital Kuching last November. The charge carries a jail term of up to 20 years or a fine.

Shalini also faces a lesser charge of injuring Marni, which carries a jail term of one year or a fine.

Kon, quoted by Bernama , said Marni also had fresh cuts and bruises on her head which were caused by a sharp, hard instrument.

Anwar Sulaiman, an official with the Indonesian consulate in Kuching, said he took Marni to police after she fled her employer's home because she could not stand being beaten.

The hearing continues tomorrow.

There have been several cases of ill-treatment of Indonesian maids in Malaysia in recent years. A number of employers have been brought to court but in some cases have been allowed to settle the cases by apologising to the victim and compensating her.