SEPANG: Trafficking victim Mala Vello's return, just in time for the Merdeka celebration, holds a special meaning for her after a harrowing 12-year experience.
Project Liber8, the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that helped to bring Mala home, said the immediate focus was to ensure that Mala and her family receive comprehensive care and support to facilitate her reintegration into society.
This, it said, would also help her heal from the trauma she has endured. To advocate for Mala, it has met with representatives from the Foreign Ministry, senators and members of parliament, and reached out to other NGOs in Nepal.
The breakthrough in Mala's case came on Aug 6, when the anti-trafficking Nepalese NGO, Maiti Nepal, filed her case in the Supreme Court of Nepal under habeas corpus, presenting Mala's detention as unlawful.
"After several hearings, the Supreme Court issued an order that initiated the process for Mala's official and immediate release, allowing her to finally return home," it said in a statement.
Project Liber8 said the public should stay informed about trafficking to protect themselves and their loved ones.
"Every survivor's story is a reminder that there is much more to be done to prevent exploitation and bring justice to victims of human trafficking.
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our local and international partners who have worked tirelessly alongside us and Mala's family to bring her home.
"Special thanks go to Datuk Sivaraj Chandran, Malaysian embassy in Nepal charge d'affaires Firdaus Azman and Bishwo Khadka of Maiti Nepal for their coordinated efforts in Mala's return just in time for Merdeka which now holds even more special significance for Mala," it said.
Earlier today, Mala reunited with her family at Kuala Lumpur International Airport after a 12-year wait.
On May, 20, the New Straits Times reported that Mala, from Port Dickson, was trapped and forced into domestic servitude for 10 years after following her Nepali partner to his home country.
The NST was the first to reveal Mala's harrowing ordeal. Her passport was withheld, and she was subjected to beatings, starvation and constant threats of gang rape if she attempted to seek help from the police.
When she left her partner and sought assistance, she was charged for overstaying under the Immigration Act and Rules of Nepal and fined the equivalent of RM88,500. Failing to pay the fine, she was sentenced to seven years in jail on March 7, 2022.
Mala was not classified as a human trafficking victim, as Nepal's Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act only applies to Nepali citizens.
On a call with the NST from Central Jail in Sundhara, Kathmandu, she described her 10-year captivity as "hell on Earth".
Her story caught the attention of Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who said that the ministry, through its mission in Kathmandu, was monitoring the case.
Firdaus previously said the embassy had issued two diplomatic notes in 2022, requesting the Nepali government's consideration for Mala's release, or to reduce the fine imposed on her.
Following that, the Nepali Foreign Ministry wrote a letter to its Home Ministry recommending the release of Mala and another Malaysian from jail.
On Wednesday, Firdaus told the NST that Mala was released by the courts and would be flying home to Malaysia.