THE COMMUNITY at large, including neighbours and extended family members, must intervene quickly and without hesitation if they come across any incident of household domestic violence that involves physical assault.
If they remain silent, such incidents can lead to serious violence against the victims and may even end up in fatality.
Victoria Musa, head of the women’s wing of Sarawak PKR, stressed that domestic violence is a crime that cannot be tolerated.
She said the party is saddened and worried over the recent case of a housewife who died shortly after she was viciously slapped by her husband in their home.
The 43-year-old victim made an income selling home-made kueh (traditional cakes) for a living.
It was reported that her husband who is jobless often demanded cash from her.
The vicious attack happened in a house at the Kg Batu Gong low-cost housing estate in Padawan district of southern Sarawak on January 22.
It led to the woman’s death the next day.
Victoria said it is sad to note that the victim had not been rendered help quickly despite having reportedly suffered at the hands of her violent husband in past incidents as well.
"In cases like this, there must be swift intervention from the family members, neighbours and community at large.
"Victims of physical assaults in domestic disputes must be rendered swift help.
"Many suffer in silence as they are afraid, so they need outside help,” she said in a statement yesterday.
“Those who know of such cases must step in and intervene and alert the police if needed before the aggressor becomes even more violent.”
Victoria expressed hope that there will be widespread outreach campaigns against domestic violence being initiated at residential estates, villages and longhouses in this vast state.
Her party also wants to see the suspect in the fatal incident punished with the maximum sentence upon conviction, she added.
Husband investigated for murder
On Thursday, Padawan district police arrested the middle-aged husband. They are probing the case as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
According to the pllice, the actual assault happened on the night of January 22 at the couple’s house when the husband demanded money from the wife who was selling kueh for income.
He is said to have repeatedly slapped her and tried to strangle her after she could not give the cash he demanded.
She managed to escape to a neighbouring house after the assault while the man ran away.
The next day, the victim collapsed after telling her sister that she was suffering severe pain at the back of her ears and neck.
A medic who arrived at the scene after the sister called for emergency help confirmed that she had died.
Initial investigation showed that the husband had been violent towards the wife before.
She had tried to seek a divorce to get away from him.
However, it came to a tragic end following the vicious slapping. – The Vibes, January 27, 2024
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