M'sia man has severed thumb after Filipino maid attacks with meat cleaver

On Nov. 11, a 28-year-old man suffered a severed thumb and multiple injuries after a violent altercation with his family’s domestic helper at their home in Kuantan, according to Malaysian media.

His 57-year-old mother was also hurt while trying to intervene in the attack.

The attack

According to the Kuantan police chief, the incident occurred at about 8:30am when the mother, Wong Siew Kwan, heard her son, Lee Qi Zhen, shouting for help from the ground floor of their two-storey house.

She rushed downstairs to find him struggling with the family’s 44-year-old Filipino domestic helper.

Police said the suspect allegedly used a meat cleaver to attack the pair.

In the ensuing struggle, Wong was struck on the head and hand while her son sustained injuries to his head and leg, as well as a severed left thumb.

Wong managed to grab the weapon before the suspect fled to the kitchen in an attempt to seize another knife.

Both mother and son then threw all knives out of the kitchen window to prevent further harm and called emergency services for assistance.

Both victims and the suspect were taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA) for treatment.

Police said the domestic helper also suffered a cut on her left wrist in what appeared to be a suicide attempt, according to Berita Harian Malaysia.

The Kuantan Assistant Commissioner said forensic officers recovered six knives and a pair of scissors from the scene.

Police investigation

Early investigations suggested the suspect had been under work-related stress, reportedly complaining to her employment agency about the demanding workload, heat and a larger household compared with her previous job, as reported by Sinar Harian.

The helper, who had been employed for about ten months, lived in the house with her employer.

Police are investigating the case under Section 326 of the Penal Code for causing grievous hurt with a sharp weapon, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a fine, or caning.

A remand application for the suspect is expected to be made in court on Nov. 12 for further investigations.

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