Migrant Watch Strongly Condemns Abuse of Indonesian Domestic Worker in Malaysia

Migrant Watch has strongly condemned the abuse of an Indonesian migrant worker employed as a domestic helper in Johor, Malaysia, a case that went viral on social media and is currently being handled by the Johor Police. Executive Director of Migrant Watch, Aznil Tan, stated that violence against migrant workers in any form cannot be justified under any circumstances. “Every migrant worker is a human being with dignity, human rights, and the right to protection from all forms of violence, exploitation, human trafficking, and treatment that degrades humanity,” Aznil said in a statement on Friday, 19 June 2026. Migrant Watch appreciates the swift action of the Johor Police in arresting the suspected perpetrators and urges that the legal process be conducted transparently, professionally, and deliver justice for the victim. However, Migrant Watch is urging the Malaysian government to thoroughly investigate all forms of violence, exploitation, human trafficking, and rights violations against migrant workers, and to ensure there is no impunity for perpetrators, employers, recruiters, or other parties involved. Furthermore, Migrant Watch is calling on the Malaysian government to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of policies, narratives, terms, and practices that reinforce stigma against migrant workers, and to foster a public culture and education that respects migrant workers as fellow human beings and upholds human rights. “We urge the Indonesian government to carry out a total overhaul of the governance of Indonesian migrant workers from upstream to downstream, including the eradication of illegal placement networks, the crime of human trafficking, middlemen, and corrupt practices that make migrant workers vulnerable to becoming victims,” Aznil said. Migrant Watch also urged both the Indonesian and Malaysian governments to strengthen migrant worker protection systems through effective supervision, accessible complaint mechanisms, adequate legal assistance, and protection mechanisms capable of preventing violence and exploitation. Migrant Watch also requested that the Indonesian government establish a National Task Force for the Handling and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, which would be cross-ministerial and involve regional governments, law enforcement officials, academics, civil society organisations, and figures with competence and experience in the field of migrant workers.