Malaysian Police Arrest 6 Over Indonesian Maid’s Death

Malaysian Police have arrested six people over the death of Nurul Aida, an Indonesian migrant worker from North Sumatra who died after allegedly being physically abused by her employers, according to the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Three of those arrested were identified as Nurul’s employers — Krishnan, Lechumi and their adult child. The three others were a Malaysian domestic helper placement agent, Too, and two of her acquaintances.

The house of Nurul’s employers has also been cordoned off by police. “Police suspect the death was caused by physical torture, as there were signs of physical abuse [on her body], including swelling from the impact of blunt objects. Malaysian police will charge the suspects with manslaughter,” Satya, an Indonesian Embassy staff member, was quoted as saying by Kompas.com on Friday.

Nurul reportedly died on Friday in Kuala Lumpur after being found unconscious at her employers’ house.

“Nurul Aida was brought to the Indonesian Embassy for protection by three Malaysian women because she had allegedly been tortured by her employers,” Satya said.

Nurul was taken to the embassy by Too and her friends, he said. Too told the embassy she found Nurul unconscious on the floor of her employers’ house.

The Indonesian’s employers were allegedly eating at the dining table only a few meters away. Too asked the employers’ permission to take Nurul to the hospital. She says they agreed on the condition that the police not be alerted.

Instead of going to the hospital, however, Too said she and her two friends took Nurul to the embassy, a two-hour drive away. Nurul reportedly died on the way.

“After they arrived at the embassy and met with the officers in charge, Too was asked to take Aida’s body to Kuala Lumpur Hospital for an autopsy. There’s a police station at the hospital so they could file a police report there,” Satya said.

Too and her two friends were later arrested on suspicion of murder.

The Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has reported Nurul’s death to her brother, Suhelmi, and said the body would be returned home as soon as the Malaysian police issued a permit.

“We have notified her brother, Suhelmi, in Bogak, Batubara district, North Sumatra, that Nurul Aida has died. We also told him that the Malaysian police are still investigating the case,” Widyarka Ryananta, the counselor for educational, social and cultural affairs at the embassy, said on Sunday

According to information from her agent, Nurul was issued a passport on Jan. 23, 2009, and she entered Malaysia using a tourist visa.

She should have left the country on March 28, 2009, but she overstayed and continued to work illegally. Too then found her employment at a restaurant owned by Krishnan.



Antara, JG

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