Abused maid's mother to visit Malaysia

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta

Maltreated Indonesian overseas worker Nirmala Bonat's mother, Martha Toni, is scheduled to leave for Malaysia today to accompany her daughter in the legal battle against her abusive employer.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Monday that the government understood Nirmala's family needed to see her and was ready to facilitate the trip.

"We have contacted the family and expect the mother to leave for Malaysia tomorrow (Tuesday) at the latest," he said.

Hassan said Nirmala must stay in Malaysia until the case is settled, and that the presence of her mother would help her through the process.

In Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Martha and her brother Daniel Bere were preparing on Monday for their trip to Malaysia with the help of the local chapter of the Association of Labor Export Companies (APJATI).

"I am going to Malaysia to visit my daughter and support her through the ongoing trial," Martha, a widow, was quoted by Antara as saying on Monday.

Jhon Salmon, branch manager of PT Kurnia Bina Rizki, which placed Nirmala in Malaysia in 2003, said the company would finance the family's trip and accommodation.

Nirmala's abuse case came as a shock to the Malaysian people last week. Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi was quoted as saying that he was "shocked and outraged" over the incident.

Nirmala, who was employed as a maid in that country, was found crying by security guards of the plush apartment compound where she worked, with wounds all over her body.

Her abusive employer is now on trial and is facing a maximum jail term of 80 years if found guilty.

Hassan said the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur had provided Nirmala with a lawyer and a place to stay until the case was settled.

The embassy also plans to provide Nirmala with medical care and reconstructive treatment at the Selangor Medical Center (SMC), which has complete plastic surgery facilities.

Director of migrant workers' protection Mardjono at the Ministry of Manpower said on Monday that the hospital had offered to provide free treatment for Nirmala.

"The hospital called the embassy and offered free treatment until her wounds are healed, and we are grateful for the offer," Mardjono said from Kuala Lumpur.

He said Nirmala's condition was improving, but she still could not speak properly due to facial injuries.