Nirmala's ordeal outrages families<\/p>\n
Yemris Fointuna, Kupang<\/p>\n
Overnight, her harrowing tale of abuse has made her a household
\nname in this country and Malaysia, something she would never have
\nexpected when she set off as a migrant worker in June 2003.<\/p>\n
Perhaps Nirmala Bonet's only hope now is to return home from
\nMalaysia, where she is at the center of an abuse scandal that has
\nshocked the country, to be with her loved ones. For not only have
\nher dreams been shattered, but she has suffered unspeakable pain
\nat the hands of her employers.<\/p>\n
Back in Nirmala's hometown in Tuapakas subdistrict in East
\nNusa Tenggara, friends and family tell the story of a kindly,
\nhealthy young woman who bore little resemblance to the horrific
\nimages of her battered face today.<\/p>\n
For the people close to her, Nirmala is a hard worker,
\ndiligent and possessing a good sense of humor. They hope that her
\nspirit has survived the trauma of her Malaysian experiences.<\/p>\n
Born to farmers Daniel Bonet and Martha Tony, Nirmala
\ngraduated from junior high school and set about helping her
\nfamily make ends meet.<\/p>\n
Her decision to become a migrant worker in Malaysia came
\nbecause she could not earn enough for her family, who live 150
\nkilometers east of the capital of East Nusa Tenggara, working at
\na restaurant, Abadi, in Kupang.<\/p>\n
Friends describe her as polite, helpful and a loyal companion;
\nthey would be shocked at the tale of a conniving and thieving
\nhousemaid from her former employers when they attempted to rebut
\nthe abuse allegations last Saturday.<\/p>\n
Anna Tell, who worked with Nirmala at the restaurant, recalled
\nher last meeting with the young woman in late May 2003 when a
\nrelative picked up Nirmala to take her to a religious gathering.<\/p>\n
\"Nirmala once told me that one of her relatives who worked as
\na housemaid in Malaysia earned quite a big salary. But she did
\nnot show any signs of following in her relative's footsteps. When
\nshe finally went to Malaysia I was surprised,\" said Anna.<\/p>\n
Nirmala's uncle Daniel Bire said in Kupang that he met his
\nniece shortly before she left for Malaysia last year.<\/p>\n
\"At that time, Nirmala was still working at the restaurant.
\nShe often came here during her free time. She will do anything as
\nlong as she gets money to help her family at home,\" said Daniel.<\/p>\n
After finishing junior high school, Nirmala wanted to pursue
\nfurther education but her parents discouraged her because of
\ntheir difficult financial situation.<\/p>\n
\"She sent letters on two occasions since she went to Malaysia,
\nbut none of them was frank, let alone telling about being
\ntortured. So we didn't reply to her letters because we believed
\nthat she was doing fine in her new situation in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
\"Although I regret it now (not replying to the letters)
\nbecause she had to face the misery of living with heartless
\nstrangers all alone.\"<\/p>\n
On May 17, a security guard found Nirmala crying outside her
\nemployer's apartment. She had burn marks all over her body, from
\nher back, inner thighs to her breasts. Her face was swollen and
\nbruised.<\/p>\n
Malaysian officials swiftly handled the situation amid a
\npublic outcry after Nirmala's photo was published in local
\nnewspapers. Even Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said he was
\nshocked and outraged at the injuries allegedly inflicted on her.<\/p>\n
\"It is shameful; it is despicable and it is painful for
\nMalaysians to see another human being tortured like this,\" the
\nNew Straits Times quoted Abdullah as saying.<\/p>\n
Nirmala's employers denied the allegations and said the
\ninjuries were self-inflicted.<\/p>\n
Nirmala is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in
\nKuala Lumpur while her parents hope the legal procedures will
\nproceed quickly so their daughter can return home.<\/p>\n
Nirmala was sent to Malaysia by PT Kurnia Bina Rizki in
\nKupang, an Indonesian Manpower Service (PJTKI) company,
\nregistered in the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the local PJTKI branch Abraham Liyanto confirmed
\nthat the company was an accredited firm.<\/p>\n
\"PT Kurnia Bina Rizki is an official company registered with
\nthe PJTKI and the Indonesian Manpower Service Association
\n(AJTKI), NTT branch,\" he said.<\/p>\n
As a housemaid's employer is ultimately responsible for her
\ncare, he strongly condemned her employer's alleged mistreatment.
\nHe said Nirmala should be fully compensated, including for
\nmedical expenses, for her suffering.<\/p>\n
Nirmala's heart-wrenching tale of abuse is nothing new in
\ngarnering headlines. But too often the matters are quietly
\nsettled out of court, and nothing is done to remedy the
\nsituation.<\/p>\n
Let's hope that it does not happen again, and all of those
\ninvolved learn their lesson from Nirmala's pain.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nirmalas-ordeal-outrages-families-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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