Man raised by domestic worker helps her escape from mum's house

 

A 21-year-old man helped a domestic worker, who had raised him since he was four, escape from his mother’s house in Bintulu, Sarawak.

According to Dayak Daily, the Indonesian national had confided in him when the latter, studying in Taiwan, returned home for holidays.

Consul-general of Indonesia Raden Sigit Witjaksono said the domestic worker identified as Marlia (above), now 32, claimed that she was ill-treated and unpaid for the past 17 years.

He also said Marlia had entered Malaysia in 2004 through an agent with the promise that she would be paid RM600 per month.

Based on this information, it means she was 13 when she arrived in Malaysia.

“From our initial investigation, Marlia apparently escaped with the help of her employer’s son, whom she had raised since he was four years old,” said Raden.

“Her employer’s son, who is now 21 years old, is studying in Taiwan. When he returned to Bintulu for the holidays, Marlia told him that she could not take it anymore,” he added.

Consul-general of Indonesia Raden Sigit Witjaksono

Upon learning of her plight, Dayak Daily said the man had helped Marlia escape the house while his neighbour waited outside to take her away.

Marlia also claimed that she was not allowed to leave her employer’s house or communicate with her family in Indonesia since 2006.

Denies allegations

Following mediation, Raden said the employer’s husband had initially agreed to pay Marlia RM130,000 but later denied the domestic worker’s allegations.

“Upon receiving the case, a team from the consulate in Kuching went to Bintulu to verify the case. A four-hour mediation session was held with the employer’s husband, police and Labour Department.

“The employer’s husband initially acknowledged Marlia’s claim and their wrongdoing against her. After a Labour Department officer had done some calculations, he agreed to pay her an unpaid salary of about RM130,000.

“We wanted to solve this case amicably. However, things didn’t go as smoothly as we hoped. Upon returning home and discussing with his wife, the situation took a turn where Marlia’s employer denied any wrongdoing nor owing her any unpaid salary,” he added.

Following this, Raden said the consulate lodged two reports with the police and Labour Department.

The case is being investigated under Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM)

Marlia has been taken to a temporary shelter in Kuching, where she will stay for 21 days pending further investigation. - Mkini