Indonesian consulate sheltering domestic workers after alleged abuse in Johor

PETALING JAYA: The Indonesian consulate-general in Johor Bahru has taken two Indonesian domestic workers under temporary shelter after their alleged abuse by their employers.

A consulate spokesman said it was informed of the case on June 13 by an Indonesian national identified as YY, who reported alleged physical abuse against herself and two others, identified as YA and SH, Buletin TV3 reported.

The alleged abuse was believed to have taken place in late 2025 and January this year.

“After the incident, the victims were left by their employers in the Kampung Melayu Majidee area in Johor,” the spokesman was quoted as saying.

“Because they still wanted to continue working in Malaysia, the three Indonesian nationals later separated. YA went to Kuala Lumpur, while YY and SH remained in Johor.”

The spokesman said the women feared to come forward earlier as they had been working without permits, with their passports allegedly retained by their employers.

YY eventually lodged a report with the consulate, which then worked with the police and filed a complaint.

The spokesman said the consulate was subsequently informed that on June 13, the North Johor Bahru police detained two married couples aged between 30 and 34, suspected of being involved in the case.

The arrests follow four videos of the assault that went viral on social media.

The consulate is currently working with the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur to locate YA.

“This is so that she can also receive protection and assistance,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman also said that the consulate would facilitate the police reporting process and provide legal advisory services to protect the victims’ rights under the law, and urged Indonesians seeking work abroad to use the proper procedural placement channels.