Indonesian maid's death highlights failure to protect helpers

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) – Trafficked to Malaysia, forced to sleep outside with a dog before dying from serious injuries – the latest abuse case involving an Indonesian maid highlights a failure to protect domestic helpers despite repeated government pledges, critics say.

Adelina Sau died earlier this month in hospital a day after being rescued from her employer's house in Malaysia's Penang state, with wounds covering her body.

Her 60-year-old employer was charged with her murder this week, and in Indonesia, two people have been arrested on human-trafficking charges for allegedly using fake documents to send her abroad.

About 2.5 million Indonesians work in more affluent Malaysia – many illegally – in sectors ranging from agriculture to construction including an estimated 400,000 female domestic helpers.

Allegations of abuse are common. These range from overwork, to beatings and sexual abuse, and the issue is a regular diplomatic flashpoint between the Southeast Asian neighbors.

Sau's death sparked widespread anger in Indonesia. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has branded it unacceptable while Jakarta is reportedly considering reimposing a ban on sending domestic helpers to Malaysia.

Jakarta last banned sending maids to Malaysia in 2009 after a series of shocking cases, only lifting the measure two years later following lengthy negotiations that resulted in an agreement to give Indonesian helpers better conditions.

However, abuse and exploitation are still regularly reported, and activists lament that pledges made to better protect maids appear to have had little effect.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has insisted Sau's death was an isolated case and called for a new deal to replace the 2011 agreement.

''We are concerned about the welfare of maids from Indonesia,'' he said.