Siti, Susmiyati, & Donald
Aug 29th, 2007, in News, by PatungIndonesians are often ill-treated abroad, by cruel Saudis and arrogant Malaysians.
Five workers’ rights activists, and family members of Indonesian overseas workers who have been abused in Saudi Arabia, have staged a hunger strike outside the Saudi embassy in Jakarta for the past week. Specifically the protesters are calling for the Saudi authorities to deal with the cases of Siti Tarwiyah (32) from Ngawi, and Susmiyati (28) from Pati, who were each allegedly murdered by their employer, and Rumini (25) from Pandeglang, Banten and Tari (27) from Karawang, who were allegedly beaten senseless by their employer and are now in intensive care.
In the murder cases the motive for killing is unclear, in the assault cases the two women’s female employer, who has been arrested, accused the girls of casting black magic spells on her children.
Anis Hidayah of the group Migrant Care says the hunger strike will continue until the Saudi authorities agree to return the four women, dead or alive, to Indonesia. The Saudi embassy has not responded to the protest in any way, he says. antara
However the next day Saudi ambassador Abdulrahman Mohammed Amen A Alkhayyaf explained that procedures had to be followed, such as police and medical investigations, and that the bodies of the two dead women would be returned as quickly as possible. He said not all Saudis abused their Indonesian staff. antara
In a separate case, Satimah (35), recently returned to her hometown of Jember after having been imprisoned for nine months in Riyadh on accusations that she had poisoned her boss to death. Eventually a medical report stated that the woman had died of diabetes related complications, and Satimah was released. While imprisoned she claims she was caned 90 times and variously mistreated and denied any representation.
Her friend, Siti (32), was also imprisoned in the same jail, but for separate, uncertain reasons. Siti is said to be semi-catatonic and unable to speak due to trauma. tempo
The Saudi cases have attracted some media attention but paling in comparison to the storm of protest that greeted the news that an Indonesian karate referee, Donald Pieter Luther Kolopita, was beaten and kicked by Malaysian police on 23rd August in Kuala Lumpur.
Donald, who was in Malaysia for the Asian Karate Championships, says he was walking to his hotel at midnight when four plain-clothes policemen attacked him from behind. Donald thought he was being mugged and fought back but being outnumbered he took a severe beating. He said he stopped resisting when he realised the men were policemen, after they had handcuffed him, but they continued their battering of him.
Malaysian police chief Tan Sri Musa Hasan says police attempted to perform a routine identity check of someone suspiciously walking alone late at night. Donald however refused to be taken to the police station in order that his identity be confirmed and police had to use force. However he says the four policemen will be punished for going over the top, and may have criminal charges to face. detik
One of the huge number of outraged responses in Indonesia came from a Muhamadiyah official, Jeffrie Geovanie, who said the incident was proof of Malaysia’s general arrogance and suggested that president Yudhoyono follow the example of Philippines president Gloria Arroyo and always stick up for his people when they are mistreated abroad. antara
Speaker of parliament Agung Laksono thundered:
This is an arrogant act of the Malaysian police against an Indonesian citizen. The government should lodge a strong protest to the Malaysian government.
He said Malaysians often acted like this towards Indonesian guest workers in the country as well.
In comparison Australia was more pliant and always offered an apology when it hurt the feelings of Indonesians. antara
We cannot tolerate the Malaysian attitude.
The president himself has spoken about the incident several times, asking for punishment of the policemen, while the minister for Sport sent a protest letter and plans to meet with the Malaysian ambassador to discuss the crisis. antara
21 Comments on “Siti, Susmiyati, & Donald”
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Falcon says:
Indonesians have respect toward the Arabs since Islam originated there, but the Arabs has not demonstrated nor appreciated Indonesian respect especially for its devotees. The fact is that Arab tradition is so restrictive however murder and raping Indonesian Female workers are something normal for the Arabs. Their rejection toward human rights is also a description of tyrants. Many Indonesian newspapers an magazines have published of Arabs engaging in marriage contract for a month or so in West Java in order to conceal the real deal which is prostitution. If they want to have sex just have sex, prostitution is one of the oldest profession in the world, just don’t be a hypocrites. Indonesian expression when a person is devious, “dasar Arab” . It is about time real Indonesian look toward their own respected culture and do not pretend, behave dress and speak like the Arabs.
Indonesia and Malaysians have some similarities, majority are Islam and of the same creed. Relationship to Malaysian seems normal on the surface, but is not. President Soekarno disliked the Malaysian. Singaporeans dislike Malaysian, The Thailand relationship with Malaysian is Luke warm. It is the country of the kings managed by a Prime Minister. The Indonesian government has been too lenient toward Malaysia, no need to claim that they are our brother. The Sepadan Island, the boat accident, rape accidents, the recent beating of an umpire, cutting down of Indonesian forest and stealing the timber, and many untold stories are some of the indications how ignorant and disrespectful are Malaysia toward Indonesia. With all the short coming, can Indonesian we live without Malaysian, yes.
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Even though Alkhayyaf said that not all Saudis abused their Indonesian staff, but he has to admit that it happens quite a lot.
Indonesians have respect toward the Arabs since Islam originated there, but the Arabs has not demonstrated nor appreciated Indonesian respect especially for its devotees.
It is so true. I can’t believe that these things just keep happening over the years. I starting to get used with this horrible things and I know I shouldn’t! I wish that Indonesian doesn’t have to be dependent to that country with their arrogant governments, but what can we do?
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Peter says:
Jika semua orang-orang Indonesia ada marah seperti ini tentang korupsi di negeri mereka, mungkin pada suatu waktu mereka tidak harus kerja sebagai pembantu-pembantu di tempat-tempat seperti Saudi Arabia.
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Dimp says:
I feel sorry for these workers, they are abused overseas and when they returned to Indo, they will face more abuse from our government officials as well…
The Indonesian government should start cleaning up their act, if they don’t respects their own citizens how do you expect other countries will respect them.
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Jokoboyo says:
Peter, let me point-out some syntax errors and offer some corrections to your Indonesian sentence, however good try !
Jika semua orang Indonesia marah terhadap semua korupsi di negaranya sendiri, maka mereka tidak perlu mengirim kaum wanitanya menjadi TKW (Tenaga Kerja Wanit) di negara Arab.
Know we know that you are really ‘orang belanda’ who can write Indonesian language.
Geeez … never know that this forum can be a good avenue for Indonesia language training.Can we leave without Malaysia and Saudi Arabia ?
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IndoGood says:
Indonesians are often ill-treated abroad, by cruel Saudis and arrogant Malaysians.
So… Allah loves Saudis and Malaysians much more then to love Indonesians!
But for sure, God loves Indonesians and all people in the world equally!!
Now is the time to reset-up our own NKRI! Weak-up Indonesians, we have everything what we need in Indonesia, even we do have much and much more anything then the Saudis and the the Malaysians have those!!
Clean up the government tables, that is the one of the most keys success for us! -
Jokoboyo,
Terima kasih for the correction. Tetapi saya bukan orang Belanda. Saya orang Amerika. Ya saya belum lancar. But hey I’m improving! 🙂
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Fred says:
Yet again another storm over malaysian maid abuse, its murder this time. Now we even have m’sian police abuse of an Indonesian. And lol behold, the saudis are involved too this time.
What puzzles me is…really….what’s the buzz, tell me what’s happening?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m betting more maids get abused by locals than by foreigners, it just doesnt get reported. Besides even if it did, it ain’t news worthy for Indonesian media. And based on what I’ve seen from m’sian media, more m’sians get bashed by their cops anyway. Donald got such a speedy apology, pity those m’sians waiting for their cases to be mentioned.
And the saudis, even the media has such fear of them. How polite the reporting of the incidents as compared to the poor malaysians, or is it summer? Aren’t the saudi supposed to be here spilling the oil all over. How come no “sweeping” of hotels for saudis?
Come on, lets all be civil, everyone I mean.
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Boni says:
I’m just wondering why people still worship Arabs and their disrespect behaviour toward human rights.
Because they are Islam?
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It is hypocrite to violently protest Malaysia & Arab, I saw a few time in Cengkareng international immigration gates, our very own immigration officers miss treated TKW. Stop miss treating our own TKW when coming back to Indonesia.
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sm4lange says:
Indonesians ill treated overseas? No point in complaining about ill-treatment towards TKW-WNI when in Indonesia the situation is also bad. In Indonesia, its women folk are treated as 2nd class citizen and does not have any rights under the Undang-Undang. As for the Arabs and based on my past experience, their attitude is not good and they are racialist. I can’t really understand why Muslims outside Arabia supports them politically. Islam can do without the Arabs.
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Patrick says:
Abuse and ill-treatment is not limited to Arabs. It happens everywhere by everybody
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Instead of blaming Malaysians, why Indonesians especially from the upper class try to improve the economy and help half of Indonesian populations get out from the poverty!?
Your claims are just isolated cases and it doesnt reflect Malaysians attitude as a whole towards Indonesians. Malaysia dan Indonesia is serumpun. Dont make this isolated cases and turn into hatred.
Peace, Malaysia and Indonesia!
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Teta says:
In Indonesia, its women folk are treated as 2nd class citizen and does not have any rights under the Undang-Undang.
Huh? Can you be more specific?
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Sylvester says:
As for the Arabs and based on my past experience, their attitude is not good and they are racialist. I can’t really understand why Muslims outside Arabia supports them politically.
It is true. Many Arabs are just racist. They see the rich american or british as their master but often treat other asian just like slaves. When tsunami hit aceh, most of the aids were from US, EU, Aussie, Japan, China, etc. Not from those camels and goats. Speaking about islamic solidarity? It is unknown for Arabs.
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It is true. Many Arabs are just racist. They see the rich american or british as their master but often treat other asian just like slaves. When tsunami hit aceh, most of the aids were from US, EU, Aussie, Japan, China, etc. Not from those camels and goats. Speaking about islamic solidarity? It is unknown for Arabs.
Funny guy. Calling Arabs racist and comparing them with camels and goats. What makes that you?
Only we, Indonesians, can stop these brutalities by working towards a better, prosperous and just society. Develop Indonesia and becoming less dependent on TKI working in nations like Malaysia or the Arab Gulf States. Yes we need to protest strongly and when abuse and ill-treatment occur but no we shouldn’t lower ourself with flag-burning and slogans like Ganyang Malaysia. It will be a long and exhausting road as most of our own politicians still have this Orde Baru mentality (KKN) and it maybe will take a generation or two before things get better. As for Islam Indonesia should look more to their own rich Islamic history and culture in stead of imitating Arab Islam. Just like Bali has with its Hinduism without imitating India.
As my great-grandfather would say: Torang samua basudara (Kita semua bersaudara, we are all brothers).
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Odinius says:
Malaysia is so arrogant. Just look at how they kicked Singapore out then refused to sell them sand. And why? Jealousy. Then they steal Indonesian batik and food and say it’s theirs. Everyone knows rendang is from padang, not KL. A wise man once said “Ganyang Malaysia!”
(jk…sort of)
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“We were always kept in our rooms”¦they locked the doors from the outside.”
“” Indian Muslim woman employed as a hospital cleaner in Jeddah, 1998 – 2000.“I was not allowed to leave the house.”
“” Filipina Christian woman who worked for a Saudi family in Jeddah for four months in 2003.http://www.Abused-in-Saudi-Arabia.com
Regarding the story about the married saudi woman who was re-sentenced to 6 months in prison and 200 lashes [http://asmira-mahmoud.livejournal.com/#asset-… ], I am disturbed by the way that Saudi Arabia is trying to cover up reality of their Abuse and Injustice – in this case to a 19 yr old married female citizen – and giving the world impressions such as, “She was an adulteress in the first place”.
If this gang-raped woman was indeed an was an adulteress, why would she, her husband or her lawyer go to the Western media in the first place?
This is just another of the Saudi cover ups so that they can try to maintain an innocent image of their country.
I personally know of first hand stories of innocent foreign workers in the saudi kindgom forced against their will into signing false statements/contracts written in Arabic, and then prosecuted on the basis of the signed documents.
Moreover, there are foreigners who do not practice their state religion – the Wahabi islam – being persecuted whether they be Muslim, Christian or Hindu. More often than normal, these innocent workers are falsely accused of drug and pornography possession and then deported, sentenced to imprisonment or beheaded. How sad!
Cover ups! Over and Over again!!! The Saudi Government and its judicial and legal systems need to grow up to become civilized. It is well beyond time for them to start acting like human beings and learn how to treat others – whether female or male, whether foreigners or citizens, whether Wahabi muslims or not – with dignity, honor, respect, tolerance and individual freedom!
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Odinius Says:
September 7th, 2007 at 7:59 amMalaysia is so arrogant. Just look at how they kicked Singapore out then refused to sell them sand. And why? Jealousy. Then they steal Indonesian batik and food and say it’s theirs. Everyone knows rendang is from padang, not KL. A wise man once said “Ganyang Malaysia!”
Heehe I think you need to read more about us. We didn’t kick out singapore for no reason and I don’t want to tell you about it because I want you find out yourself.
About the sand you don’t have to worry for singapore because your beloved country already have become the supplier.
We didn’t steal your batik because our batik design is very different than yours (you can check it out on the net).
Haha this is funny. You said that we steal your food and told everyone its ours? Haha ya indonesian is very well-known about the “klaim-ming” thingy. Do you know Melayu in Malaysia is actually from Indonesia so we ate the same thing and we know how to cook it and now you want to “klaim” it was yours? Please don’t be a clown here. People laugh at you do you know that? Do you malaysian to eat pizza and spaghetti? That is not our kind of food.
Finally you told me that A wise man once said “Ganyang Malaysia! haha I really would like to know who is him! Where is he now? I really like you because I never never never really think that someone will claim that man was wise hahahha.
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Dragonwall says:
Right they should exert more pressure to those Saudi’s to carry out their so call Sharia and have them sentenced to death or stoned or something amputated. Make them pay through their nose.
Then we shall see.
Comment on “Siti, Susmiyati, & Donald”.
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Australians are not robbed, rape and murdered everyday by illegal immigrants, mostly Indonesian.
Some work in construction by day and rob by night.
Even maids rob their employers, with the help of their relatives/boyfriend that are already here.
The Malaysian police are under pressure to bring all criminal activities under control and racial profiling of suspected Indonesians is now the norm.
On maids, best for Indonesian to stop sending maids overseas as it is slavery in modern form. The way asian treat their maids are no different from Indonesians treating their maids.