Housekeeper from Myanmar Dies at 24kg Due to Brutal Abuse by Landlord

Sleeping only 5 hours a day and given minimal food
"Singapore's Worst Abuse Case"

Myanmar domestic worker who died due to abuse by her Singaporean landlord. / Photo by Facebook capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] A Singaporean homeowner who brutally abused a Myanmar domestic helper by starving and beating her, ultimately causing her death, is now facing legal judgment.

According to local Singaporean media such as 'The Straits Times' on the 25th (local time), Gayathiri Murugayan admitted to all 28 charges, including negligent homicide of the domestic helper Piang Ngai Don, at the sentencing hearing held on the 23rd.

According to the media report, Gayathiri is said to be facing a possible life sentence at the sentencing trial.

During the trial, the Singapore prosecution emphasized, "For one human being to treat another in such a cruel and thoroughly inhumane manner gives the court reason for righteous anger," adding, "This case is the worst abuse incident to have occurred in Singapore, and the highest possible legal punishment must be imposed."

Gayathiri, along with her husband, is accused of abusing the then 23-year-old domestic helper Piang Ngai Don in May 2015, leading to her death.

At that time, Piang Ngai Don was abused by Gayathiri for over a year before ultimately dying in July 2016.

It was reported that Gayathiri left the door open to monitor Piang Ngai Don while she used the toilet and showered. She was allowed to sleep only five hours a day and was given extremely small amounts of food.

Due to this abuse, Piang Ngai Don weighed only 24 kg at the time of her death. It was confirmed that her weight had decreased by about one-third compared to when she first entered Gayathiri's home.

Meanwhile, it is reported that about 250,000 foreign women from impoverished Southeast Asian countries work as domestic helpers in Singapore. Reports of abuse against these workers by Singaporeans have also been continuously reported.

In this regard, Josephine Teo, Singapore's Minister for Manpower, told The Straits Times, "It is a horrific incident," and added, "It should never have happened."

She further emphasized, "The community must watch for signs of abuse against foreign workers and help report them to the authorities."