Employing 17 housemaids in one house is unusual in itself. Even more so would be making them work 21 hours every day, imprisoning and physically abusing them, and not paying them fixed wages. There is no doubt that all this is a serious crime.

The violence and cruelty allegedly carried out by Mutiara, wife of Police Brig. Gen. (ret) Mangisi Situmorang, came to light following a report made by one of the maids, Yuliana Leiwer, 17, who managed to es