Government sources revealed today that the Human Resources Ministry is being pressured to “close the case” on its investigation into the abuse of Indonesian domestic worker Zailis.
Sources told Malaysiakini today that the ministry had been receiving phone calls from political and corporate organisations, pressuring ministry officers to sweep the matter under the carpet.
“The ministry has been receiving calls after Zailis’ alleged abuser, a 35-year-old mother of two, was detained on Sept 1.
“They are pressuring the ministry to close the case,” a source said.
“The husband of the detained woman is believed to be in law enforcement,” said another source.
The ministry’s probe on the physical abuse and forced labour complaint is against husband and wife employers, one of whom is believed to be an officer in law enforcement.
Other than the ministry, the Gombak police in Selangor are also investigating the physical abuse of Zailis, who is currently receiving treatment at the Selayang Hospital.
Zailis, who is also being treated for old injuries including a broken arm, has made forced labour allegations against her employers.
Minister confirmed phone calls
Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister M Saravanan, who is in India on a religious trip, confirmed the ministry received a few calls but will reveal more details when he returns tomorrow (Sept 6).
“I will have more information when I come back tomorrow,” he said.
On Saturday (Sept 3), he issued a press statement naming and shaming the employers, stressing the ministry will never compromise with violence and oppression against workers.
Malaysiakini is withholding the names as the couple has not been charged in court.
Saravanan also confirmed that Zailis was owed RM32,000 in unpaid wages.
On that same day, Gombak district police chief ACP Zainal Mohamed Mohamed confirmed the arrest of the 35-year-old woman.
That was two days after Zailis was forced to flee her employers’ house in Taman Industri Bolton, Batu Caves, Selangor after a round of beating.
However, Zainal did not mention the charges against the employer.
Indonesian govt concerned
On Friday (Sept 2), Zailis was visited by Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia Hermono who was enraged over the abuse.
He hoped action will be taken against the husband as well, “As he did nothing while criminal activities took place in his house”.
During the hospital visit, Hermono observed Zailis had severe lacerations on her face, a swollen eye, and serious injuries to both her ears.
When contacted today, he said the case gained the attention of the Indonesian government as well as its members of Parliament.
“In the past, many Indonesian workers have encountered injustices in Malaysia.
“We hope that this time, justice will prevail,” he said.
This is the latest case of domestic worker abuse that has come to light following the Federal Court’s acquittal of Ambika MA Shanmugam, 67, in June this year for the death of her domestic worker, Adelina Lisao, in 2018.
Hermono also urged for the case to be investigated for exploitation under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Act 2022 (Atipsom), which was strengthened with harsher sentences earlier this year.
He called for the maximum sentence as all elements of the case corresponded with the International Labour Organisation’s forced labour indicators, including withholding of passport and no rest day. - Mkini
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