Indonesian maid abusers to pay dearly
Rahmah GhazaliPublished: Oct 27, 2009 8:11 AM | Updated: Oct 27, 2009 9:49 AM
Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein today said that severe and prompt action will be take against those who caused the death of Indonesian domestic helper Mantik Hani, 36.
Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein today said that severe and prompt action will be take against those who caused the death of Indonesian domestic helper Mantik Hani, 36.
Mantik died in hospital yesterday without regaining consciousness. She was allegedly abused by her employers. A couple is in police custody pending investigations.
"I am shocked and I don't understand any human being who could have done such a thing.
"I will not compromise with this matter because everyone who lives in Malaysia has the right to be protected.
"That is why the suspects who are involved in this case have been placed in police remand. I understand that this matter will be investigated by DIG Ismail Omar, to whom I spoke yesterday.
"When the investigation papers are ready, we will forward it to the Attorney-General so we could bring this case to court as soon as possible," he told reporters in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam has directed the Labour Department to coordinate with the authorities in prosecuting employers found to have abused their maids.
"We will do everything we can to support the authorities as they take legal action against those involved," he said in a statement today.
The minister stressed that any case of abuse involving maids would not be tolerated in Malaysia.
He said his ministry would ensure the safety and health of workers and uphold social justice.
"The workplace rights and protections provided to our citizens are equally important to foreign workers in Malaysia, including those from Indonesia," he said,
"We are shocked by the allegations being made in the case of Mantik Hani. I have already said yesterday that the government viewed this matter very seriously," he said.
Outstanding issues to be negotiated
Subramaniam also said the Malaysia-Indonesia Joint Committee on the employment of maids had held two meetings recently, and the next meeting was scheduled to be held next month (November 2009).
"At the next meeting, outstanding issues pertaining to the recruitment of maids from Indonesia will be discussed and mutually resolved," he added.
Jakarta had frozen the recruitment of maids from Indonesia pending the outcome of the joint-committee meeting. However, Indonesia has given the assurance that maid agencies which have already received payments from Malaysian employers would be allowed to bring in maids to work with the employers concerned.
Indonesia and Malaysia had put forward a list of issues that needed to be resolved first before the freeze was lifted.
On Jakarta's side the thorny issues include the welfare of the maids and their salary structure, while Kuala Lumpur had requested the Indonesian government carry out a review on the fee structure which he said were too high and confusing.
Subramaniam said that Malaysia had suggested that the rate be standardised and Indonesia has agreed to look into it.
Mantik died in hospital yesterday without regaining consciousness. She was allegedly abused by her employers. A couple is in police custody pending investigations.
"I am shocked and I don't understand any human being who could have done such a thing."I will not compromise with this matter because everyone who lives in Malaysia has the right to be protected.
"That is why the suspects who are involved in this case have been placed in police remand. I understand that this matter will be investigated by DIG Ismail Omar, to whom I spoke yesterday.
"When the investigation papers are ready, we will forward it to the Attorney-General so we could bring this case to court as soon as possible," he told reporters in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam has directed the Labour Department to coordinate with the authorities in prosecuting employers found to have abused their maids.
"We will do everything we can to support the authorities as they take legal action against those involved," he said in a statement today.
The minister stressed that any case of abuse involving maids would not be tolerated in Malaysia.He said his ministry would ensure the safety and health of workers and uphold social justice.
"The workplace rights and protections provided to our citizens are equally important to foreign workers in Malaysia, including those from Indonesia," he said,
"We are shocked by the allegations being made in the case of Mantik Hani. I have already said yesterday that the government viewed this matter very seriously," he said.
Outstanding issues to be negotiated
Subramaniam also said the Malaysia-Indonesia Joint Committee on the employment of maids had held two meetings recently, and the next meeting was scheduled to be held next month (November 2009).
"At the next meeting, outstanding issues pertaining to the recruitment of maids from Indonesia will be discussed and mutually resolved," he added.Jakarta had frozen the recruitment of maids from Indonesia pending the outcome of the joint-committee meeting. However, Indonesia has given the assurance that maid agencies which have already received payments from Malaysian employers would be allowed to bring in maids to work with the employers concerned.
Indonesia and Malaysia had put forward a list of issues that needed to be resolved first before the freeze was lifted.
On Jakarta's side the thorny issues include the welfare of the maids and their salary structure, while Kuala Lumpur had requested the Indonesian government carry out a review on the fee structure which he said were too high and confusing.
Subramaniam said that Malaysia had suggested that the rate be standardised and Indonesia has agreed to look into it.
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