Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said the note also condemned the alleged abuse and murder of domestic worker Adelina Lisao in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, on Feb 11.
He was reported by the Jakarta Globe as saying yesterday that Indonesia demanded firm and serious handling of the judicial process against the perpetrators in the case.
“We have asked the Malaysian government to take immediate steps, including through a bilateral discussion, to prevent such things from happening again, and to step up the protection of Indonesian migrant workers and ensure that their rights are upheld,” he said.
Jakarta also urged Malaysia to address the issue of those who still illegally employed Indonesian migrant workers.
“We will continue to put pressure on the Malaysian government, (and) monitor and work with the local authorities to make sure that the judicial process is conducted properly and that the perpetrators are sentenced accordingly,” Arrmanatha said.
On Wednesday, Ambika MA Shan, 60, was charged at the Bukit Mertajam magistrate’s court with the murder of Adelina, who hailed from East Nusa Tenggara. No plea was recorded.
The offence, under Section 302 of the Penal Code, carries the mandatory death sentence.
Ambika’s daughter, Jayavartiny Rajamanickam, 36, claimed trial to employing Adelina, who did not possess a valid pass, between March 2017 and Feb 10 this year.
The offence, under Section 55B (1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a maximum of 12 months’ jail, or both.
Adelina, who was allegedly abused by her employers, had been working at their semi-detached house in Taman Kota Permai, Bukit Mertajam.
She was spotted by a concerned neighbour with wounds on her hands and legs. She had also been seen sleeping next to a Rottweiler for two months.
On Feb 17, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had expressed hope that Indonesia would not stop sending maids to Malaysia because of the case which he said was an “isolated” one.
He said such a drastic response from the republic would only be detrimental to both countries.
“In fact, we know that we have certain SOPs (standard operating procedures) that must be adhered to by employers and the Malaysian government will never protect any employer who is found to have acted cruelly (against their maids),” he was quoted as saying.
It was reported earlier that Indonesia’s ambassador to Malaysia Rusdi Kirana had said his country was mulling a moratorium on the sending of domestic workers to Malaysia.
Zahid hopes Indonesia will not stop sending maids to Malaysia