A look at the contrasting journeys of Parti Liyani, wrongly accused of theft, and Karl Liew, whose actions led to legal consequences.
It’s been over six years since the high-profile case involving prominent businessman Liew Mun Leong and his son Karl Liew, who wrongly accused their former domestic helper, Parti Liyani, of stealing from them. As Karl Liew prepares to serve a jail sentence in May for lying in court, we reflect on the difficult paths both he and Parti have endured in the aftermath of this case.
Parti Liyani’s Past Six Years
– In October 2016, Parti Liyani was fired by Karl Liew, the son of her employer, without any clear explanation, as stated in her victim impact statement released on April 14, 2023.
– She was given just two hours to pack up her belongings and leave, with her personal items being rummaged through.
– Shortly after, the Liew family accused her of theft and filed a police report.
– In December 2016, she was arrested while attempting to re-enter Singapore to find new employment.
– For four years, Parti had no income while the court case dragged on, as she was required to stay in Singapore but was not allowed to work. Her only financial support came from the $28,000 raised by the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME)—a fraction of what she would have earned working full-time.
– She had to pay for rent out of her own pocket during her legal battle until HOME provided her with free accommodation.
– Unable to send money back to her elderly mother and siblings in Indonesia, Parti faced an uncertain future as she didn’t know how long the legal proceedings would take.
– The case hit the media in 2018, and she lost friends, battling anxiety as the scandal reached her family in Indonesia, including her aging mother.
– During the investigation, Parti was subject to negligence by police officers handling the case.
– In March 2019, she was found guilty and sentenced to 26 months in prison.
– After appealing, she was finally acquitted in September 2020. High Court Judge Chan Seng Onn ruled that the conviction was “unsafe” and pointed out the Liew family’s “improper motive,” suggesting their accusations were likely retaliatory after Parti threatened to report them to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for violating employment laws.
– Parti returned home to Indonesia in January 2021, marking her first trip back after her four-year legal ordeal.
– She sought $10,000 in compensation from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), but her request was dismissed.
– Many of her personal belongings remain in police custody, and she has never received an apology from the Liew family.
Karl Liew’s Past Six Years
– Karl Liew accused Parti of theft after she expressed dissatisfaction with being fired and made to clean his house illegally.
– Just three weeks before testifying against Parti, Liew was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative neurological disorder, which reportedly caused anxiety about his hand tremors during the trial.
– He falsely claimed in court that Parti had stolen his clothes, later justifying the discrepancy when confronted with evidence that the items were women’s clothing by stating that he sometimes cross-dressed.
– Liew was issued an advisory notice by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for illegally deploying Parti to clean his house, but MOM decided not to take further action against him.
– Liew was sentenced to two weeks in jail for lying to the judge during the Parti Liyani trial. Prosecutors had initially sought a fine of $5,000, but District Judge Eugene Teo decided on jail time, emphasizing the severity of Liew’s actions.
This case serves as a striking reminder of the stark contrast between the struggles of those in power and those who are powerless, as well as the lasting impact of wrongful accusations and legal battles. The experiences of Parti Liyani and Karl Liew highlight a significant divide in their treatment, with Parti enduring years of hardship and uncertainty, while Liew faces far less severe consequences for his dishonesty.
