Kids
today have it lucky — the ancient Asian-style disciplinary method of getting
fiery chilli padi (or bird’s eye chili for the unfamiliar) rubbed on our lips
is not as prevalent as it was before. Unfortunately, a seven-year-old girl had
the traumatic experience of getting the spicy pod stuffed into her mouth
earlier this year at the hands of her caretaker.
Indonesian
domestic helper Hamida, 33, was slapped with a six-month jail term after
admitting to ill-treating the young daughter of her employers, Channel NewsAsia
reported. The woman had inflicted cruel punishments upon the girl when her
parents were out of the house.
The
court heard that the incident took place on Jul 29 this year, when Hamida was
at home with the victim and her older sister, aged nine. The younger sibling
had wet herself and couldn’t answer the domestic helper when the woman
questioned the girl about why her pants were soiled. Hamida was further
incensed that the girl had also refused to do her homework.
The
girl was then subjected to sadistic punishments. The domestic helper grabbed a
piece of chilli padi (CNA reported it to be 1cm to 2cm in length) and stuffed
it into the victim’s mouth. The prosecution pointed out that this was an
element of cruelty, as Hamida knew the girl was afraid of spicy food.
The
woman then caned the girl on her shoulder and used a 1.3kg wooden scratching
board for cats to hit the side of the girl’s head.
Her
older sister immediately told their mother about what happened when she
returned home. The police were alerted and Hamida was arrested.
Prior
to her offense, the Indonesian had worked for the family for seven years.
Unrepresented in court, she had nothing to say in her defense.
Source : Coconuts
