KUALA LUMPUR: Beaten and humiliated, forced to shower with the doors open and made to eat from a dog's bowl using only her mouth.
These were among the horrors Indonesian domestic worker Meriance Kabu had to endure at the hands of her Malaysian employer Serene Ong Su Pin and her friend Sang Yoke Leng.
Ampang Sessions Court Judge Wan Mohd Norisham Wan Yaakob, who ordered Ong and Sang to enter defence for trafficking and illegal employment, said the duo subjected Meriance to violence, forced labour and exploitation.
He said Meriance was also forced to eat hot and spicy dishes including rice with boiled chillies and forbade to shower with closed doors.
"She was hurt multiple times. Every time the first accused was at home, she would be hit," he said.
The victim was also taunted to the point she was afraid to seek help from neighbours.
"She was bound to the house and was only allowed to go out of the house to sweep the compounds," he said.
"She was observed by a CCTV at all times.
Meriance never met her neighbours who had from time to time, heard crying from Ong's house throughout the night.
"The neighbours were surprised to see her swollen face when she was rescued," said Wan Mohd.
Despite her injuries, she had never taken leave.
"She worked strenuous hours and was forced to do illogical things," he said.
Though it was evident that she had serious injuries, Wan Mohd Norisham said her employers did not provide her medical care nor off days and instead only gave her salted water to gargle.
He said the prosecution successfully proved a prima facie against Ong and Sang under Section 13 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act and Section 55B(1) of the Immigration Act.
"Although Meriance had agreed to be a domestic worker, she didn't agree to be a punching bag.
"Her writing a note (to her neighbours to rescue her) means that she was stressed and threatened."
Meriance was rescued on Dec 12, 2014, some eight months after she was employed.
Both Ong and Sang had signed her employment agreement though she was working at Ong's house.
Sang had frequented Ong's house and hit her too.
For the offence under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act, Ong and Sang face a maximum jail term of 20 years or a fine or both upon conviction.
For the offence under the Immigration Act, the duo face a fine of up to RM50,000 or one-year imprisonment or both.
Previously, Ong and Sang were twice granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal for the same case as the witnesses failed to appear in court.
Deputy public prosecutor Anisah Pisol prosecuted while the accused were represented by S Prakash.
The court has set Aug 19 for mention.