Envoy will seek justice for domestic worker accused of being possessed

 

Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, Hermono, said he will seek justice for the domestic worker allegedly abandoned by her abusive former employer who claimed she was possessed.

Having interviewed the domestic worker himself, Hermono (above, right) told Malaysiakini: “I will fight until justice prevails.”

He said the Indonesian Embassy had also lodged a police report alleging criminal assault.

“I want to challenge his accusation that she was possessed or is mentally unstable,” said Hermono, who goes by a single name.

He has also recommended the police carry out a psychiatric evaluation if they believed the former employer's claims that Ningrat (not her real name) was mentally unstable.

While Ningrat, 47, alleged abuse, her former employer claimed to have been afraid for his family’s safety after employing her.

Bruises due to ‘make-up’

Her employer, Harlem Shah, 46, also claimed the bruises on Ningrat’s face when she was rescued by police were due to “make-up.”

Ningrat, who was allegedly abused by her employer

While waiting for the police to obtain an interim protection order, the embassy has engaged a lawyer who will accompany Ningrat during investigative interviews.

Hermono added that a case has also been filed with the Labour Department to claim her four years of unpaid wages.

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that the Sentul police headquarters was investigating the case under Section 323 of the Penal Code, in relation to voluntarily causing hurt.

The investigating officer said, after listening to all sides, he had to ascertain who was responsible for causing harm to Ningrat.

"She can converse very well and she has been eating very well at our shelter," said Hermono.

Referring to Ningrat’s allegations that she worked long hours and meals were limited to leftovers, Hermono said her circumstances had changed for the better at the embassy shelter.

Yesterday, an embassy spokesperson revealed that Ningrat’s employer initially denied knowledge of her after she was found abandoned, but relented when they traced the employment agency that placed Ningrat with him.

Harlem, who according to his LinkedIn page has the title "Prof Dato Sri Dr", claimed Ningrat behaved as if she was “possessed by spirits” six months into her employment.

Malaysia has good and bad employers

On April 23, Hermono revealed to Malaysiakini that 392 domestic workers had sought shelter at their embassy in Kuala Lumpur and their consulates around Malaysia since January 2021.

Ningrat's case has bumped up that figure. However, the question that remains is how far the justice system in Malaysia holds abusive employers accountable.

In March this year, the release of Rozita Mohamad Ali on a good behaviour bond shocked Malaysians who still vividly recall the battered face of her 19-year-old victim, Suyanti Sutrinso, with her eyes swollen shut.

Recognising there were responsible and kind employers, Hermono regretted there were also Malaysians who perceived domestic workers as "abusable".

"They view them as slaves and not workers," he said. - Mkini