KUALA LUMPUR — An Indonesian woman was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment and fined RM3,000 by the Sessions Court here today after she pleaded guilty to injuring her compatriot with a pair of scissors and smearing her with chilli powder two weeks ago.

Judge Mazuliana Abdul Rashid imposed the sentence on online trader Erna Wati, 41, ordering her to serve the prison term from the date of her arrest on Oct 9, and in default two months if she fails to pay the fine.

Erna Wati was charged with voluntarily causing grievous hurt to restaurant worker Dyah Ayu Kuriniasari, 43, with a pair of scissors by the roadside near Pulapol, Wangsa Maju, at 10.30 pm on Oct 7. 

She was charged under Section 326 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine or caning, upon conviction. 

It was understood that the assault stemmed from the victim’s alleged affair with the accused’s husband.

According to the facts of the case, the victim was invited by a friend to join a car ride with the accused and two of her friends. While in the car, the accused began questioning the victim about the matter.

Dissatisfied with the response, the accused told one of her friends to restrain the woman, then rubbed chilli powder on the victim’s face and put some into her underwear.

The accused also scratched and slapped the victim, gouged her eyes, and repeatedly stabbed her in the back with a pair of scissors in a fit of anger. She then cut the victim’s clothing before leaving her by the roadside. 

A medical examination revealed that the victim sustained multiple injuries from scratching and stabbing, with scissor wounds on her face, body, arms, legs, and ears. Her hair had also been cut.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Izzat Amir Idham urged the court to impose a stiff sentence, citing the seriousness of the offence and the cruelty of the accused’s actions. 

“In this case, the victim, a woman, suffered serious physical injuries and psychological trauma due to the accused’s actions. The acts of slapping, applying chilli powder and scratching the victim were extremely cruel. We urge the court to impose a severe sentence as a deterrent,” he submitted.

Erna Wati’s counsel, Ahmad Ikram Ab Alim, pleaded for a minimum custodial sentence on the basis that his client has five school-going children aged between five and eleven, and has no prior criminal record.

“My client has lived in Malaysia for 20 years. She deeply regrets her actions and is remorseful for what she has done,” he said.