The defendant, Awang Roslan bin Abdullah, 32, a father of six children admitted to have not paid his maid her salary ever since the 36-year-old amah named Tukijah arrived in February 2002 and throughout her employment in his household for 23 months and 13 days.

The Labour Prosecuting Officer informed the court that the defendant has failed to pay the amah her rightful wages amounting to $4,671.30.

The prosecutor said the amah was employed as the defendant's maid with a salary of $200 per month as agreed in the contract of service between them.

According to him, on February 3 last year, Labour officers stationed in Tutong with the assistance of the Tutong police went to the defendant's house to investigate whether such complaint made by the said maid was accurate.

After due investigation of the complaint, the amah was taken to the Tutong Police station for further investigation and was later given over to the custody of the Indonesian Embassy, the prosecutor added.

Advertisement

Under the Labour Act, a penalty prescribed under Section 120 is a fine of $1,500 or in default thereof and imprisonment for six months.