Act now Wisma Putra, bring Mala back

Senator Datuk C Sivaraj has called upon the authorities, particularly the Foreign Affairs Ministry -Wisma Putra – to take action urgently in resolving the case of a human trafficking victim, Mala Vello who has been languishing in the prison of Nepal.

“I have taken immediate action by sending a formal letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs,Datuk Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, urging the ministry to engage with Nepali authorities and advocate for Mala’s immediate release and safe return to Malaysia.

“I commend the efforts of NGOs such as Project Liber8, whose relentless advocacy and support for Mala are commendable. Together we are exploring all possible avenues to bring Mala home.

“It is our collective hope that Mala Vello can return to Malaysia and be reunited with her family in time for Deepavali.

“Her case underscores the critical need for updated, inclusive anti-trafficking laws and international collaboration to protect all victims of such heinous crimes, he said in a statement.

Mala had fallen in love with a Nepali in 2012 and agreed to follow him back, reported New Straits Times.

She obtained a 30 day tourist visa in January 2012.

Her passport was kept by her husband and she endured starvation, physical abuse, torture and forced domestic servitude for 10 years.

In February 2022 she sought the assistance of the Nepalese Migrant Unity Network in Lalitpur, Nepal.

Her case was referred to the Immigration Department of Nepal on 9 March 2022.

She was then found guilty for overstaying under the Immigration Act and Rule of Nepal. She was also fined RM88500. Since she did not have the funds, she was sentenced to seven years in jail.

A legal hurdle that Mala is currently facing is that Nepal Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act excludes foreign human trafficking victims.