June 19, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR (The Star\ANN): Following the recent attempt by an Indonesian maid to climb down from a high-rise apartment block to flee from her employer, the Home Ministry will bring the issue of abused maids to the Cabinet.
Ministry secretary-general Aseh Che Mat said the issues of abused and unpaid maids needed to be addressed and handled properly as Malaysia has a special relationship with Indonesia.
"This issue may affect that," Aseh told reporters during a visit to the Indonesian Embassy here yesterday.
On June 16, a 33-year-old maid used pieces of clothing items to make a rope to climb down from a 16th floor condominium unit in Sentul.
The woman, who claimed that her employer had physically abused her and only gave her bread to eat, was found clinging to the line after she reportedly froze with fear at the 12th floor. (**)
