Indonesian Ambassador: Case of Zailis Is Malaysian Government's Serious Test In Implementing MoU

JAKARTA - The case experienced by Zailis who was tortured in the Batu Caves area is a test of the Malaysian Government's seriousness in implementing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) which was just signed on April 1, 2022.

"Yes, depending on the resolution of this case, yes. Yes, of course, we will provide input to Jakarta. Because we don't want this case to be like the previous cases, many injustices are experienced by our migrant workers," he said when asked if the case could affect the MoU on the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in the Domestic Sector in Malaysia, Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, Hermono, Monday, 5 September.

Hermono said the case that happened to Zailis, a 46-year-old Indonesian citizen who worked as a household assistant (ART) in the Batu Caves area in Kuala Lumpur, was a test of how the Malaysian government was really serious about implementing the MoU.

"There was a special staff member of the Prime Minister who contacted me. He guarantees that this will be resolved legally, no matter who ... he also knows that the (male) employer is a police officer, he knows," he said.

This is in light of the many previous cases, such as that of Adelina Lisao from NTT or the cases of other Indonesian migrant workers who were not paid their salaries, who went to court but lost.

"Indonesia has signed an MoU whose purpose is cases of torture, violations of the rights of PMI in the domestic sector can be prevented. Now, now there are more cases like this, we will see the seriousness of the Malaysian government to address this problem," he said.

Therefore, Hermono said the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur would closely monitor the legal process that will be carried out for the Zailis case.

"This is a test. Are they serious or not? Because they have given a commitment to Indonesia, including the Indonesian Foreign Minister, this case will be prioritized," he said.

According to Hermono, Zailis's case is the worst since the MoU was signed on April 1. However, apart from that the Indonesian Embassy also received reports of milder degrees of cases.

"We know that if they are reported, or they run away here (KBRI), or there are people who report to us. Outside there can be a lot of things that happen but they do not have the ability to report because they are always at home," he said.

Zailis, injured and traumatized, managed to escape from her employer's house on Tuesday (30/9). She was assisted by another resident who happened to see her before being taken to the police station to make a report.

She is currently in a safe house after undergoing treatment at Selayang Hospital. However, the Indonesian Embassy is trying to request that Zailis get treatment first until he recovers before going to a safe house.

The Indonesian Embassy also received a report that Zailis began to look more cheerful and her health improved. The Indonesian Embassy is still trying to contact her family in Indonesia.