Indonesian Worker Abused in Malaysia, House Commission IX Demands Tighter Oversight of Illegal Migrant Placements

Deputy Chairman of House Commission IX Yahya Zaini has expressed deep concern over the assault of a female worker with the initials YY in Malaysia. Yahya urged the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (KP2MI) to tighten oversight in order to curb non-procedural placements of migrant workers. “I convey my profound concern over the abuse case against an Indonesian migrant worker that occurred in Malaysia,” Yahya told reporters on Tuesday. “I ask KP2MI to oversee this case by providing protection to the migrant worker concerned, even though she is a non-procedural migrant worker,” he continued. The Golkar Party politician also requested that KP2MI coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and the Indonesian Consulate General in Johor Bahru to ensure the victim is safe and receives the necessary assistance. “I ask the Indonesian government to provide legal assistance until the matter is fully resolved so that the individual receives fair treatment and obtains her rights in accordance with applicable law,” he said. Furthermore, Yahya called on KP2MI to tighten supervision to minimise cases of non-procedural migrant worker placements, including through unofficial routes. “I ask KP2MI to reduce non-procedural migrant worker placements abroad as much as possible by tightening supervision at exit points, especially illegal border crossings,” he stated. “I ask KP2MI to conduct public outreach to reject any offers of non-procedural migrant worker placements, because non-procedural migrant workers do not receive government protection,” he added. Previously, YY was abused by her employer in Malaysia. Malaysian police have arrested four individuals who assaulted YY. In a video that circulated, a woman seated on a sofa was seen being beaten by a man in a blue shirt. The woman groaned in pain and did not fight back. In a subsequent scene, another woman struck the victim on the head while a third woman recorded the violent act. Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens Abroad, Heni Hamidah, confirmed the abused woman is an Indonesian citizen working in Malaysia. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian Consulate General in Johor Bahru, and the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur are currently providing assistance to an Indonesian citizen with the initials YY who reported an alleged assault committed by her employer and an associate in Malaysia,” Heni Hamidah told reporters.