Malaysian Court to Read Verdict on Abuse Case Against Indonesia's Migrant Worker Mariance Kabu Today

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Kuala Lumpur Court in Malaysia will read the verdict on Mariance Kabu’s case on July 30, 2024. Meriance is a migrant worker from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) who was a victim of human trafficking and experienced severe employer abuse in 2014. 

The court first decided to discharge the employer through Malaysia’s DNAA (dismissal not amounting to acquittal) system. Various efforts were made to reopen this case, including through bilateral diplomacy. This case was finally reopened in early 2024.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs facilitated Mariance's attendance at the trial today. The Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has also appointed a watching brief lawyer to monitor the trial. 

The Consular Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in 2014 was first notified about Mariance’s abuse by the Ampang Jaya Police. The Embassy then sent the Indonesian Citizen Protection Task Force and appointed Shamsuddin & Co. law firm to handle the case. 

After rescuing Mariance, the police arrested the employer, Ong Su Ping Serene, 47 years old. Ong Su Ping was suspected of abusing Mariance Kabu in a flat in Pandan Jaya, Jalan Pandan 7, Ampang, Selangor.

Several local media reported that police rescued Mariance, who worked as a domestic helper, after receiving a report from Ong Su Ping's neighbors. Previously, the neighbor had received a piece of paper thrown by Meriance containing the migrant worker’s request for help.

When the police arrived at the scene, Mariance was found in weak condition. Mariance confessed to having been beaten, electrocuted, and kicked by the employer. As a result, Mariance Kabu suffered broken bones and was covered in wounds.

TEMPO.CO

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