Malaysia’s endless mistreatment of domestic workers is again brought to light after police detained a 35-year-old woman for allegedly abusing her Indonesian domestic worker in her home at Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur.
According to Gombak police chief Zainal Mohamed Mohamed, the arrest came about after the victim lodged a police report, in which she claimed she was physically abused by her employer.
He said the alleged abuser was arrested on Thursday and will be released later today.
Zainal said the 46-year-old victim, who was said to be working for the woman and her husband since October 2019, lodged the report after she fled from the house on Wednesday.
The maid has been sent to Selayang Hospital for a medical examination.
In a statement, human resources minister M Saravanan revealed that the victim had not been paid her fair share since she started working for the couple in 2019.
He said an investigation by the labour department showed that the employers owed the maid RM32,000 in wages.
According to an exclusive news report by Astro Awani, Indonesia’s ambassador to Malaysia, Hermono, claimed that the victim has had to live through physical and mental abuse for the past three years. She currently weighs 30kg due to malnutrition.
He said the woman was locked up and closely monitored while enduring physical abuse.
Hermono said the worst part was that the employers refused the victim medical help for her injuries.
“During my visit to Selayang Hospital on Thursday, I was informed that the victim may have lost her sense of hearing from a severe injury to her ear.
“The victim is seriously traumatised and is calling for help,” he said in the interview.
Indonesia is working to gradually stop sending its citizens to Malaysia to be employed as domestic workers.
Hermono told Malaysiakini in April that Indonesian domestic workers were vulnerable to abuse and forced labour.
He said Indonesian workers would instead be encouraged to focus on the formal employment sector.
