Parliament Condemns Perpetrators of Violence on Indonesian Workers in Malaysia

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR), Syamsu Rizal, strongly condemned the abuse suffered by an Indonesian citizen identified by the initials YY, who works as a domestic worker in Malaysia. The case drew public attention after a video showing violence against the victim circulated widely on social media.

In the video, which spread on Sunday, June 14, 2026, a woman believed to be the victim can be seen sitting on a sofa while receiving repeated blows from a man wearing a blue shirt. The victim appeared to cry out in pain and did not fight back.

Malaysian police reportedly acted quickly by arresting four individuals suspected of being involved in the assault on YY. Responding to the case, Syamsu Rizal—commonly known as Deng Ical—called for the perpetrators to receive severe punishment in accordance with Malaysian law.

“We strongly condemn the violence suffered by our sister YY. Such conduct is inhumane and intolerable. The perpetrators must receive punishment commensurate with their actions so that it serves as a deterrent and a lesson to anyone who commits violence against migrant workers,” said Deng Ical in a written statement on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

According to him, the Indonesian government, specifically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, must continue monitoring the ongoing legal process and pursue diplomatic efforts to ensure justice for the victim.

“I urge the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with Indonesia’s representatives in Malaysia, to maximize diplomatic efforts and lobbying so that the legal process proceeds transparently and the perpetrators receive severe penalties in accordance with Malaysian law,” Rizal said.

Deng Ical also emphasized the importance of providing optimal legal assistance to the victim. He hoped that YY’s legal team would present strong evidence in court to convince the judges of the seriousness of the crimes committed by the perpetrators.

“The lawyers assisting the victim must work hard to uncover all the facts and evidence. With strong evidence, the judges will have a solid basis for imposing severe punishment on the perpetrators,” he stressed.

In addition, Deng Ical urged the government to strengthen protections for Indonesian migrant workers abroad, including ensuring the availability of rapid complaint and assistance mechanisms when migrant workers face legal problems or acts of violence.

“The safety and protection of migrant workers must be a priority. The state must be present to ensure that all Indonesian citizens working overseas receive protection and justice,” he emphasized.

Deng Ical also proposed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs establish a dedicated advocacy and legal-literacy network for Indonesian migrant workers. He noted that since Indonesia has enacted a law on the protection of domestic workers, standards for migrant workers should likewise align with the spirit of that legislation to guarantee the protection of their rights and safety, as well as those of other informal-sector workers.