Man who married maid in Batam jailed for bigamy

Low began a romantic relationship with Komariah. In 2024, they went to Batam, Indonesia, and entered into a Muslim marriage solemnised by a religious leader.

At the time they got married, Low knew that his first wife was still alive and his marriage with her had not been dissolved.

Komariah allegedly did not get permission from the controller of work passes to marry Low. This was a breach of the conditions of her work pass.

Low’s first wife did not know about the second marriage, which has not been annulled to this day.

They returned to Singapore and Low continued living with his first wife.

A police report was lodged in late January this year after MOM submitted information about a case of suspected bigamy.

The prosecution sought two to three months’ jail, saying deterrence was the dominant sentencing consideration.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ryan Lim said bigamy often leads to serious consequences, even if this did not happen in this case.

“PROTRACTED DECEPTION”

He said Low had practised “protracted deception” on his first wife. The offence was also premeditated in order to avoid censure in Singapore.

The length of offending was also fairly long, said Mr Lim.

Low said nothing in mitigation. He was unrepresented.

In response to Komariah’s claim that she did not know Low was married at the time, Mr Lim said the prosecution’s position is that she knew at all material times.

Her case was fixed for a pre-trial conference. On top of a mirroring charge for bigamy, she faces a second charge of flouting her work pass condition by marrying Low without approval.

The penalties for committing bigamy are a jail term of up to seven years and a fine of up to S$10,000.

CNA has contacted MOM for more information.