Recalling the rescue of a Malaysian woman and her three children stranded in Indonesia, Pertubuhan Peneraju Insan Sungai Siput secretary Indrani Kumar (above, centre) claimed that procedures practised by the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, as well as Health Ministry requirements at the airport, were "inhumane" and "cruel".
"The 35-year-old woman from Kedah married an Indonesian man. Their marriage was registered in Langkawi in 2013. At the end of 2019, their entire family went back to her husband's hometown in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi.
"She was stranded there since the beginning of the movement control order last year, and unfortunately, her husband recently passed away in February this year, leaving behind their two older children and a four-month-old baby born there.
"Since then, all her attempts to return to Malaysia failed. In fact, she and her three children were detained by Indonesia's immigration authorities for overstaying, and her youngest child who was born in Indonesia did not have a (Malaysian) passport," Indrani said.
NGO claims embassy offered no assistance
She also claimed the woman did not receive any assistance from the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta.
"When the woman contacted our embassy in Jakarta, she was informed there was no assistance available to prepare all the necessary documents for her return. She was also told there was no budget for financial help or temporary shelter.
"So what is the function of our missions abroad if they can't help our citizens? What kind of procedures are in place that sidelines our own people?" Indrani asked.
The NGO was informed of the case in late October through the woman's sister who is living in Sungai Siput.
Claiming the Malaysian Embassy offered little help, the NGO contacted the Indonesian immigration authorities who eventually issued a passport for the woman's third child.
"The only help received from our mission is a letter stating that the woman is impoverished and all costs for quarantine in Malaysia should be waivered.
"She returned home on Dec 9 and we covered all costs including four air tickets," Indrani added.
Health Ministry allegedly insisted on payment despite letter
Upon arrival at KLIA, Indrani claimed the Health Ministry ignored the letter from Jakarta and the woman was still made to pay RM250 to conduct an RT-PCR test on her baby, as well as RM4,000 quarantine costs.
"After discussions between our NGO and the Health Ministry, particularly due to the goodwill of one officer on duty, the woman was given free quarantine for 10 days.
"I see this case as an 'eye opener' for the government to review procedures in bringing back Malaysians stranded overseas," she said. - Mkini
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