PMI From West Sumatra Tortured By Employers In Malaysia, Escapes Through 29th Floor Window To Save Yourself

JAKARTA - An Indonesian migrant worker (PMI) from West Sumatra was subjected to brutal torture by his employer in Malaysia and was forced to take reckless action by fleeing through the 29th floor condominium window where he worked.

The PMI was found seriously injured, including bruises and burns all over his body due to being doused with hot water.

Quoted by Antara, Wednesday, November 19, the photos shown by the Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, Dato Indera Hermono, describe the condition of the victim who experienced prolonged violence.

The victim managed to save himself by decaying through the building poles from the 29th to 27th floors before receiving residents' help. Currently, the victim has been secured at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur for treatment and legal assistance. The Indonesian Embassy has also helped carry out a post-mortem and reported the case to the Malaysian police.

Ambassador Hermono said the perpetrators of the persecution were a married couple from Malaysians who worked as co-assistent doctors.

"This person is still young and educated, but has the heart to torture. He should be a health worker who understands human rights better," he said.

The perpetrator and his family were known to have visited the Indonesian Embassy in KL to apologize and hope that the settlement of the case would be carried out amicably. However, the Indonesian Embassy refused. "People can't torture and then apologize and then finish it," said Hermono.

The victim is known to be a non-procedural worker who entered Malaysia as a tourist. Hermono assessed that this case again highlighted a gap that allowed non-procedural migrant workers to enter abroad without national protection.

He urged the Malaysian police to take action against the perpetrators according to the law, and asked Indonesian immigration authorities to tighten profiling of passport applicants to prevent the departure of non-procedural PMIs.

According to Hermono, the MoU for the protection of Indonesian domestic workers will not be effective if the flow of non-procedural migrant workers continues.