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A Malaysian woman has finally returned home after being stranded in Lombok, Indonesia, for the past 18 years
The woman arrived yesterday, 15 February, according to a Facebook post shared by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
The minister said Norida Akmal Ayob, 45, had followed her Indonesian husband to back to his hometown in Lombok in 2007 to live with him and raise their family.
However, according to Berita Harian, Norida soon began to endure physical abuse from her husband.
"Her marriage did not last and she ended up living alone in hardship and poverty, earning a living as a cleaner to support her children after separating from her husband, who had remarried," said Shamsul Anuar.
The mother-of-two was also reported to be living in extreme fear due to death threats from her former husband.
Norida Akmal Ayob (in yellow sweater) reunited with her family at KLIA 2 yesterday, 15 February.
Image via Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (Facebook)
After learning of her plight, her family in Lenggong, Perak, appealed to Wisma Putra to bring her home
"Her wish to return to Malaysia became known when her family in Kampung Bukit Sapi met me and informed me of her situation.
"I was told she was living in severe hardship, her children were unable to continue schooling, and they had been neglected," said Shamsul Anuar, who is also the Member of Parliament for Lenggong.
"Praise be to God, they are now safely back in their homeland after being separated from their family for nearly two decades," he added.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
Image via Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (Facebook)
The successful repatriation of Norida and her two children was made possible through close cooperation between Malaysian and Indonesian authorities
Shamsul Anuar said the effort involved the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Malaysian Embassy in Indonesia, the Malaysian Immigration Department, and Indonesian authorities, particularly the country's immigration department.
An officer was also sent to Lombok to assist with the repatriation, and the family was welcomed at KLIA 2 yesterday.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
If you or anyone you know may be at risk of domestic violence, please call these Malaysian hotlines:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
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2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Weekdays (9.30am – 4.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Weekdays (9am – 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4390698
Email: [email protected]
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4. TALIAN KASIH
24-hour
Contact: 15999
WhatsApp: +6019-2615999
Email: [email protected]
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5. TELENISA LEGAL AID CLINIC
Weekdays (8am – 10pm)
Contact: +6012-8123424
WhatsApp: +6012-8123424
Email: [email protected]
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6. BUDDY BEAR CHILDLINE
Daily (12pm – 12am)
Contact: 1800-18-2327
Email: [email protected]Facebook | Instagram
