Just RM6,000 fine for grandma who botched abortion

2008/09/25


KUALA LUMPUR: There was no miscarriage of justice when a 61-year-old
grandmother escaped a jail sentence for carrying out an abortion on an
Indonesian woman who later died, a court has ruled. Sessions Court judge Fathiyah Idris said a jail
sentence would be unsuitable for the grandmother, Wong Ah Kean, after
counsel Francis Goh argued that she was old and ill.

Instead, Fathiyah fined her RM6,000 or six month's jail in default, on a lesser charge of causing a miscarriage.

Wong was said to have voluntarily caused a miscarriage for Fitriani,
28, who was three months pregnant, at a clinic in Jalan Hang Kasturi,
at 11am on July 15 last year.

She was initially charged with causing death by an act done with the intention of causing miscarriage.

Goh earlier told the court that Wong also suffered from high blood pressure and Hepatitis B.

"My client regrets the incident. She had no intention to harm the victim."

According to the case, Wong had been working at the clinic as an
assistant to a doctor since 1985 and had been taught to treat pregnant
patients and perform abortions.

On July 14, Fitriani had contacted the clinic for an abortion.

Wong had allegedly told her that an abortion could only be carried out if she was less than three months pregnant.

The abortion was later performed for RM700.

The next day, Fitriani started bleeding heavily. Wong gave her medication and asked her to rest.

Fitriani was found dead about 5pm when Wong went to check on her.

According to the medical report, Fitriani had died due to "excessive blood loss due to traumatic termination of pregnancy".

Deputy public prosecutor Nor Asma Ahmad urged the court to mete out a
deterrent sentence, taking into consideration the seriousness of the
offence.

She told the court that the patient and her child had
died due to Wong giving the victim medicines which were not approved by
the ministry.

"Abortions are illegal in Malaysia," she added.