Malaysian Government Retrieves Citizen Living in Hardship After Marrying Indonesian National

Jakarta, VIVA – The story of a Malaysian woman named Norida Akmal Ayob has attracted significant public attention. Her name became widely discussed after it emerged that she had been living in hardship for 18 years following her marriage to an Indonesian citizen in Lombok.

As reported by Says.com, Norida was finally able to return to Malaysia on 15 February. Her arrival was greeted by Malaysia’s Deputy Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah. The minister said the 45-year-old woman had followed her Indonesian husband back to his hometown in Lombok in 2007 to live with him and raise their family.

However, according to reports from Malaysian media outlet Berita Harian, Norida subsequently began to suffer physical violence from her husband.

“The marriage did not last long, and she ended up living alone in difficulty and poverty, working as a cleaner to support her children after separating from her husband, who went on to remarry,” said Shamsul Anuar.

The mother of two was also reported to have been living in extreme fear due to death threats from her former husband. After learning of her situation, her family in Lenggong, Perak, submitted a request to Wisma Putra to bring her home.

“Her desire to return to Malaysia became known when her family in Kampung Bukit Sapi met with me and informed me of the conditions she was enduring. I was told that she was living in severe hardship, her children were unable to continue their schooling, and they were suffering from neglect,” said Shamsul Anuar, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Lenggong constituency.

Shamsul expressed relief that his constituent was finally able to return to her home country after nearly two decades of separation.

“Alhamdulillah, they are now safely back in their homeland after being separated from their family for nearly two decades,” he added.

The repatriation of Norida and her two children was achieved through close cooperation between the Malaysian and Indonesian authorities.

Shamsul Anuar explained that the effort involved the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Malaysian Embassy in Indonesia, the Malaysian Immigration Department, and the Indonesian authorities, particularly the local immigration office.

An officer was also dispatched to Lombok to assist with the repatriation process, and the family was welcomed at KLIA 2 yesterday.