Nirmala's ordeal outrages families

Nirmala's ordeal outrages families

Yemris Fointuna, Kupang

Overnight, her harrowing tale of abuse has made her a household
name in this country and Malaysia, something she would never have
expected when she set off as a migrant worker in June 2003.

Perhaps Nirmala Bonet's only hope now is to return home from
Malaysia, where she is at the center of an abuse scandal that has
shocked the country, to be with her loved ones. For not only have
her dreams been shattered, but she has suffered unspeakable pain
at the hands of her employers.

Back in Nirmala's hometown in Tuapakas subdistrict in East
Nusa Tenggara, friends and family tell the story of a kindly,
healthy young woman who bore little resemblance to the horrific
images of her battered face today.

For the people close to her, Nirmala is a hard worker,
diligent and possessing a good sense of humor. They hope that her
spirit has survived the trauma of her Malaysian experiences.

Born to farmers Daniel Bonet and Martha Tony, Nirmala
graduated from junior high school and set about helping her
family make ends meet.

Her decision to become a migrant worker in Malaysia came
because she could not earn enough for her family, who live 150
kilometers east of the capital of East Nusa Tenggara, working at
a restaurant, Abadi, in Kupang.

Friends describe her as polite, helpful and a loyal companion;
they would be shocked at the tale of a conniving and thieving
housemaid from her former employers when they attempted to rebut
the abuse allegations last Saturday.

Anna Tell, who worked with Nirmala at the restaurant, recalled
her last meeting with the young woman in late May 2003 when a
relative picked up Nirmala to take her to a religious gathering.

"Nirmala once told me that one of her relatives who worked as
a housemaid in Malaysia earned quite a big salary. But she did
not show any signs of following in her relative's footsteps. When
she finally went to Malaysia I was surprised," said Anna.

Nirmala's uncle Daniel Bire said in Kupang that he met his
niece shortly before she left for Malaysia last year.

"At that time, Nirmala was still working at the restaurant.
She often came here during her free time. She will do anything as
long as she gets money to help her family at home," said Daniel.

After finishing junior high school, Nirmala wanted to pursue
further education but her parents discouraged her because of
their difficult financial situation.

"She sent letters on two occasions since she went to Malaysia,
but none of them was frank, let alone telling about being
tortured. So we didn't reply to her letters because we believed
that she was doing fine in her new situation in Malaysia.

"Although I regret it now (not replying to the letters)
because she had to face the misery of living with heartless
strangers all alone."

On May 17, a security guard found Nirmala crying outside her
employer's apartment. She had burn marks all over her body, from
her back, inner thighs to her breasts. Her face was swollen and
bruised.

Malaysian officials swiftly handled the situation amid a
public outcry after Nirmala's photo was published in local
newspapers. Even Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said he was
shocked and outraged at the injuries allegedly inflicted on her.

"It is shameful; it is despicable and it is painful for
Malaysians to see another human being tortured like this," the
New Straits Times quoted Abdullah as saying.

Nirmala's employers denied the allegations and said the
injuries were self-inflicted.

Nirmala is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in
Kuala Lumpur while her parents hope the legal procedures will
proceed quickly so their daughter can return home.

Nirmala was sent to Malaysia by PT Kurnia Bina Rizki in
Kupang, an Indonesian Manpower Service (PJTKI) company,
registered in the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration.

Chairman of the local PJTKI branch Abraham Liyanto confirmed
that the company was an accredited firm.

"PT Kurnia Bina Rizki is an official company registered with
the PJTKI and the Indonesian Manpower Service Association
(AJTKI), NTT branch," he said.

As a housemaid's employer is ultimately responsible for her
care, he strongly condemned her employer's alleged mistreatment.
He said Nirmala should be fully compensated, including for
medical expenses, for her suffering.

Nirmala's heart-wrenching tale of abuse is nothing new in
garnering headlines. But too often the matters are quietly
settled out of court, and nothing is done to remedy the
situation.

Let's hope that it does not happen again, and all of those
involved learn their lesson from Nirmala's pain.