PMI From West Kalimantan Doesn't Receive Salaries Even Though It's Been More Than 14 Years Of Work, The Indonesian Consulate General In Kuching Provides Legal Protection

Marlia (centoral sit) an Indonesian citizen from Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan, told the problems she had experienced to the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching. BETWEEN/HO-Humas KJRI Kuching/ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) Kuching provided legal protection for an Indonesian migrant worker (PMI) from Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan who was suspected of receiving unnatural treatment when he was hired as a household assistant in Bintulu Serawak, Malaysia. "There are allegations of exploitation elements against Marlia, from never being paid a salary, not being given access to leave the house freely and not being given access to communication with the family," said Indonesian Consul General Kuching Raden Sigit Witjaksono, in a written statement received by ANTARA in Pontianak, Wednesday, June 14. Sigit conveyed that the matter had been reported by the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching to the police as well as to the Bintulu Serawak Manpower Position (JKT), Malaysia. It is known that Marlia is a resident of Semanga Village, Sejankung District, Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan. He entered Malaysia since 2004, after being hired as a household assistant. Approximately 15 to 17 years old, Marlia was not given a salary and was not allowed to return to Indonesia by her employer in Bintulu Malaysia. Sigit explained, the disclosure of the case that happened to Marlia began with the Semanga Village Head's report on behalf of Mirdan, who is Marlia's father. Based on reports from Marlia's father, the family has not received news from Marlia since 2004. For information, Marlia managed to escape from her employer's house because she wanted to return to Indonesia, after a dozen years of detention and was not allowed to return to Indonesia by her employer. "So thanks to the help of a Malaysian citizen, finally Marlia's father found out about her whereabouts," said Sigit. From the report, said Sigit, his party conducted a search and on June 12, 2023, the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching managed to find Marlia at the house of one of the Malaysians who helped and tried to find information from the Marlia family. Sigit said that based on Marlia's confession since 2004 she entered Malaysia, assisted by Indonesian worker agents. At that time, Marlia was promised to be hired at a shop or food stall with an undetermined salary, at the beginning of her departure to Malaysia, especially Kuching, Sarawak. Marlia also admitted that she was escorted by Indonesian worker agents to Malaysian worker agents located in the Sarikei area, Sarawak and by Sarikei Sarawak Agent, Marlia was placed in a coffee shop in the Bintulu area, Sarawak. At the coffee shop, Marlia did not work long, not until a year later she was transferred by agents to work as domestic assistants at the residence of her employer named Kuang Lee Ing. However, Marlia was again moved back to the residence of Kuang Lee Ing's father-in-law, until Kuang Lee divorced for approximately three years. Based on Marlia's statement, she managed to escape from her workplace and was also assisted by her employer's child. Where the child has been cared for since the age of four by Marlia. "From Marlia's employer's child, we received information that Marlia had worked to raise the child estimated between 2006 and 2007, if that is true, it means that Marlia has worked and has not been paid a salary of around 15 or 17 years," said Sigit. Sigit said, for now Marlia will be placed in the temporary shelter (Shelter) of the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching awaiting the process of resolving the case.

Regarding this issue, Sigit emphasized that his party would provide protection for Marlia and oversee the legal process that has now been handled by the authorities in Bintulu Malaysia.