Man Who Married Maid in Batam Jailed for Bigamy – CNA News

A Singaporean man was sentenced to two months in jail on Friday for committing bigamy after marrying his domestic helper in Batam while his first marriage remained intact.

Low Kok Peng, a 61-year-old Singaporean, pleaded guilty to one charge of bigamy under the Women’s Charter at the State Courts. The court heard that he had married his first wife, a Singaporean woman now aged 55, in 1992, and that marriage remains in force. They have a daughter together.

In 2016, approximately 24 years into his first marriage, Low was introduced to Komariah, a 50-year-old Indonesian woman working in Singapore as a domestic helper on a work permit, by a friend. He began a romantic relationship with her.

In 2024, Low and Komariah travelled to Batam, Indonesia, where they entered into a Muslim marriage solemnised by a religious leader. At the time of this marriage, Low was aware that his first wife was still alive and that his first marriage had not been dissolved.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) discovered the bigamy and referred the case to the police, leading to the arrest of both Low and Komariah. Komariah was also found to have breached the conditions of her work permit by marrying without obtaining permission from the controller of work passes.

Komariah was expected to plead guilty on the same day as Low but did not proceed after claiming during investigations that she did not know Low was married until the authorities became involved.

After the Batam ceremony, the couple returned to Singapore, where Low resumed living with his first wife. The first wife was unaware of the second marriage, which has not been annulled.

A police report was filed in late January 2026 after MOM submitted information about suspected bigamy. The prosecution had sought a sentence of two to three months’ jail, emphasizing deterrence as the primary sentencing consideration.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ryan Lim stated that bigamy often leads to serious consequences, even though no such consequences arose in this particular case.

Low Kok Peng arrived at the State Courts on April 24, 2026, to receive his sentence.