Illegal Malaysian workers trapped

IT is a situation no one wants to find themselves in when in a foreign country.

Two Malaysians are now living in a cage-like room, fearing that the laws of this country will get them.

It is not their making, but the making of a Malaysian logging company Samlimsam Ltd, who are known for importing illegal workers into the country.

Speaking from their hide-out, looking drained, fret and bothered, Jonaidi Bin Tuah and Ambar Bin Adha said their hitch is just but a tip of an ice berg that needs urgent attention.

The two were recruited by Samlimsam office in Malaysia to come and work here.

“We came into the country under visitor’s visa, but they assured us that when we get to the Solomon Islands, our work permits will be processed within a week of arrival,” Mr Ambar said.

He said the company paid for their travel expenses to the Solomon Islands.

“We arrived here on 18 May 2010 and went directly into a logging camp in Malaita where the company operates.

“After a month, we checked with the company if our work permits are ready, but they threatened us and said we should just shut up and work.

“Few weeks ago, we checked again but they did not even bother, so the two of us decided to risk our lives by leaving the camp.”

They said they were terrified because they realised they were working illegally.

“We asked the camp manager that we want to leave immediately and if the company could give us whatever money we have and to pay our airfares back home.”

Mr Ambar said the camp manager reacted angrily and told them to leave.

The two left for Honiara on August 29, arriving without accommodation, money and airfares.

“We left without a single cent, because the manager said all the money that we worked for were used to reimburse our travel expenses from Malaysia to the Solomon Islands.

“The boss told us to find our own way home.”

The pair’s poignant story was only discovered yesterday when a Good Samaritan from Indonesia who is assisting them decided to blow the whistle.

The Good Samaritan, who wanted his name withheld, said he took the two to Labour and Immigration last week, who held onto their passports to pursue Samlimsam to meet their airfares back home.

They said Immigration and Labour still have not signal to them any outcome.

“We are married, and thought we would come here to work properly, but found ourselves in trouble.”

The two worked as a log truck driver and a bulldozer operator, trades which they say locals here are capable of doing.

“We are anxious to get home and do not want to be punished here, so we are trying to inform our families back home if they could pay our fares back.”

However, they said they will wait for a response from Immigration and labour who said they are trying to get the logging company who was responsible for getting them here to repatriate them.

They said their days are long and scary but the Indonesian Association here is helping them to survive each day.

The two said they are normally mistreated in the camps.

“To tell you the truth, the two of us are the only ones that have the guts to leave even though we knew that we will end up nowhere.”

They said 30 workers who are working without work permits are still in four logging camps in Malaita.

“They also feared for their lives, that they will be punished under your laws, but they cannot do anything.

“It is not just the two of us, there are about 8 people in each of the four camps who have no work permits, just like the two of us, so we hope responsible authorities will deal with the company and the workers,” they said.

Samlimsam had been investigated previously as well for bringing into the country people to work without permits.

Attempts to talk to Immigration authorities and the logging company yesterday were unsuccessful.

Source: CMSA Admin