Maid Gets Life Sentence for Murdering Employer After Stealing

A maid who murdered her elderly employer in Singapore has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Sumiyati, a 53-year-old Indonesian national, was convicted of killing 73-year-old Low Hoon Cheong by suffocating him with a pillow.

The court heard that Sumiyati had initially maintained a good relationship with Mr. Low and his family, who extended her contract and increased her pay. However, from late 2021, she began borrowing money and stealing from Mr. Low's wife, pawning several gold items.

Despite being caught stealing, Mr. Low's wife and daughter decided not to report her to the police, giving her another chance due to their reliance on her care for the mobility-impaired Mr. Low. Sumiyati's defense claimed she was desperate after being scammed multiple times in Indonesia.

The fatal incident occurred on April 28, 2022, after Mr. Low confronted Sumiyati about his wife's missing necklace. Sumiyati denied the theft, and the confrontation escalated, leading to the fatal act.