Malaysia Worries Indonesia Will Stop Sending Housemaids

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Malaysia hopes Indonesia will not stop sending female migrant workers (TKW), who work as household assistants (PRT) following the death of Adelina Jemira Sau in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia.

Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said Indonesia's drastic action will only harm both countries.

Read also: The Story of Adelina: Female Migrant Worker Tortured in Malaysia

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Home Affairs, said he will meet with Indonesian Minister of Manpower, Muhammad Hanif Dhakiri, to negotiate and find the best solution to the problem.

Ahmad Zahid stated it to response Indonesian media reports on the issue. In a Malaysia news portal report, Jakarta plans to stop sending workers to Malaysia after the death of Adelina, who was tortured at her employer's home.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also a member of the House of Bagan Datuk, said that based on humanity, Malaysia will not protect or hide the facts that occurred in the case.

He explained that the percentage of TKW abuse in Malaysia is the lowest compared to other countries.

He also believes the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources will continue to monitor if there are complaints about abuse in the country.

Read also: Migrant Care Suspects Human Trafficking Involved in Adelina Case

Adelina, who suffered head and facial injuries and infection wounds on both legs, died while undergoing treatment at Bukit Mertajam Hospital.

Indonesia previously imposed a moratorium on sending domestic workers to Malaysia in 2009 but the ban was lifted in 2011. Currently, there are more than 200,000 Indonesian domestic workers in Malaysia.

YON YOSEPH