Senior citizen charged with murder of Indonesian maid (Updated)

BUKIT MERTAJAM: A senior citizen and a young father were both charged for murder at the magistrate's court yesterday in separate cases.
M.A. Ambika, 60, was charged with the murder of her Indonesian maid Adelina Lisao, 26.
She is alleged to have committed the offence at No. 67, Medan Kota Permai 2, Taman Kota Permai 2, Bukit Mertajam at about 4pm on Feb 10.
Ambika appeared calm and nodded her head when the charge was read to her in Bahasa Malaysia before Magistrate Muhamad Anas Mahadzir.
No plea was recorded from her for the charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.
Her daughter R. Jayavartiny, 32, pleaded not guilty to a charge of employing Adelina without documentation.
She is alleged to have committed the offence at the same address between March 2017 to Feb 10, 2018.
Jayavartiny was charged under Section 55B (1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term of up to a year, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy Public prosecutor Hamzah Azhan suggested bail of RM20,000 with one surety. However defence counsel Muhaimin Hashim requested for RM12,000.
Muhamad Anas fixed bail at RM15,000. Both cases will be mentioned on April 19.
Adelina died last Sunday while receiving treatment at a hospital in Bukit Mertajam due to alleged abuse by her employers.
Her death triggered outrage from non-governmental organisations and netizens.
It was reported that Adelina had been forced to sleep in the car porch with her employer's dog for over a month, and had also suffered bruises on multiple parts of her body.
The Indonesian authorities have also arrested two individuals on human trafficking charges after establishing a link with the death of Adelina.
Meanwhile in the same court, Muhamad Firdaus Saidon, 22, was charged with the murder of his one-and-a half-month old baby daughter.
He is alleged to have caused the death of Nurul Ain Umairah Muhamad Firdaus, a one and a half month old infant at No.893, Kampung Tok Panjang in Bukit Mertajam at 10.45am on Feb 15.
The accused appeared calm and nodded his head when asked by the court bailiff if he understood the charge that was read to him in Bahasa Malaysia.
No plea was recorded from the accused who works as a lorry driver.
Muhamad Anas set April 19 for mention pending the forensic and chemical report.
Last Thursday, Nurul Ain succumbed to her injuries at 10.45am on the way to the Seberang Jaya Hospital (HSJ).
Based on the post-mortem report, Nurul Ain who had severe injuries on her body, died of a brain haemorrhage.