Abused maid's mother to visit Malaysia

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.