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Kin of maid who died after suspected abuse demands three years’ pay as compensation

KUALA LUMPUR — The family of an Indonesian maid whose death has renewed Indonesia’s concern about sending domestic workers to Malaysia is demanding three years of her salary as compensation.

The woman had been forced to sleep in a covered car parking area attached to the house next to a dog. Photo: The Malay Mail Online (Courtesy of lawmaker Steven Sim)

The woman had been forced to sleep in a covered car parking area attached to the house next to a dog. Photo: The Malay Mail Online (Courtesy of lawmaker Steven Sim)

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KUALA LUMPUR — The family of an Indonesian maid whose death has renewed Indonesia’s concern about sending domestic workers to Malaysia is demanding three years of her salary as compensation.

According to the Jakarta Globe, Adelina Lisao's family insisted that she had not been paid for the duration of her service with the Malaysian family who allegedly forced her to sleep outdoors prior to her death.

“We demand that Adelina’s salary for three years be paid. Don’t justify withholding her salary because she was unregistered,” said Ms Petronela Koa, an aunt.

“The amount of money does not matter. But it is still her right.”

The maid, who had allegedly been made to sleep outdoors with her employer’s dog for a month, died of severe injuries to her head and face. She also had infected wounds on her hands and legs.

Her death prompted an Indonesian envoy to suggest the country may reinstate a 2009 moratorium on sending its citizens to Malaysia to work as domestic workers.

The high-profile case has threatened to undermine ties between Putrajaya and Jakarta.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Saturday (Feb 17) that he was “aggrieved at learning” of reports that Indonesia plans to stop sending maids to Malaysia because of what he described as an isolated incident.

He said he will meet with Indonesia’s Manpower Minister Muhammad Hanif Dhakiri to discuss safety matters pertaining to Indonesian maids and workers in the country.

The two siblings accused of abusing the maid were remanded for a week starting February 14 to assist police investigations for murder.

Malaysia has introduced regulations to protect domestic workers in recent years after a series of highly publicised abuse cases, including the 2014 conviction of a couple who were found guilty of starving an Indonesian maid to death.

The regulations include a minimum wage and mandate one day off each week, but rights groups say enforcement is rare. Reports of abuses remain common, including torture of domestic helpers and others among Malaysia's two million migrant workers, many of whom are believed to be victims of trafficking. AGENCIES

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