Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry Helps Win Civil Lawsuit in Adelia Lisao's Death Case in Malaysia

TEMPO.CO, Penang, Malaysia - The Pulau Pinang High Court granted the claim for compensation in the civil trial for the death of the late Adelia Lisao, an Indonesian Migrant Worker from NTT who died in 2018 because she was allegedly abused by her employer in Malaysia (8/2), according to the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry.

As reported from kemlu.go.id, the lawsuit was filed by the heir of the late Adelina Lisao, Yohana Banunaek, with facilitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Indonesian Consulate General in Penang, Malaysia.

The Indonesian Consul General in Penang, Wanton Saragih, welcomed the Judge's decision to grant the compensation claim. "The results of this trial show that there is justice for the late Adelina Lisao and for the family left behind," said Wanton.

Director of Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha, said that legal assistance to fight for Adelina Lisao's rights has been a priority for the Indonesian Government from the start. It is hoped that this decision will have a deterrent effect on employers who treat PMI inhumanely.

Pulau Pinang High Court judge, YA Dato Anand Ponnudurai, decided to award compensation of RM750,000 to the family of the late Adelina Lisao. This amount consists of RM250,000 for hardship and RM500,000 for the suffering experienced by Adelina Lisao. The judge also charged travel expenses of RM25,000 incurred by the heir to come to Malaysia. In addition, interest of 5 percent per year will be charged to the defendant until compensation is paid, with calculations starting from the time the case is registered at the Pulau Pinang High Court in August 2023.

Previously, on November 30, 2023, the Pulau Pinang High Court also granted a lawsuit regarding compensation for funeral costs amounting to RM21,427.57 and payment of salaries that were not paid by the employer amounting to RM54,000.

Even though the defendants, Adelina's former employer, and her lawyer were not present at the hearing, the judge still granted this lawsuit. The chronology of this incident began in February 2018 when Adelina Lisao was found at her employer's house with bruises on her head, hands and feet due to abuse and neglect. Adelina Lisao died on February 11, 2018 at Bukit Mertajam Hospital, Penang, a day after being taken out of her employer's house.

The Indonesian government, through the Consulate General and the Directorate for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens, has attempted to seek justice for Adelina through criminal law and appeal to the Federal Court in Putrajaya. Even though this effort failed on June 23, 2022, the Indonesian Government together with the Presgrave & Matthews Law Firm continued to fight through civil law until a trial verdict was obtained.

TEMPO.CO | KEMLU.GO.ID

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