Urgent Appeal: Maid Seeks Refuge Amidst Alleged Loan Shark Predicament - Employer Seeks Public Assistance
In a distressing turn of events in Punggol, Singapore, a family is reaching out to the public for help in locating their Indonesian domestic worker, Maemanah. Ms. Ika Lestari, a 40-year-old teacher, took to social media last Friday to share the harrowing ordeal her family is facing after Maemanah apparently borrowed money from unlicensed moneylenders, leading to relentless harassment.
According to Ms. Ika, her family had already paid a total loan sum of S$3,950 to three different individuals in an attempt to resolve the situation. Despite their efforts, they continue to face threats from these "loan sharks." The family last saw Maemanah on Friday evening at Punggol Interchange.
The troubling situation unfolded when Maemanah requested an advance payment of her salary on Thursday evening, surprising Ms. Ika, who had recently paid her salary on December 26. This wasn't the first time Maemanah had asked for advances, but this particular instance raised suspicion as the worker seemed panicky, claiming she needed to pay someone waiting at the housing block's void deck.
Later, Maemanah confessed to borrowing money from unlicensed moneylenders since December 10. Despite settling the S$3,950 debt, the family's woes escalated. On January 5, they received more messages demanding additional repayments. Concerned, Ms. Ika attempted to contact her maid, but Maemanah remained unresponsive. Reviewing surveillance footage, Ms. Ika's husband discovered Maemanah leaving the house, dressed in a green top and beige headscarf.
Upon returning home, Ms. Ika found signs of forced entry, with her locked drawer tampered with, Maemanah's passport missing, and luggage bags and clothes gone. Disturbingly, a bloodstain on the room carpet heightened anxiety about Maemanah's well-being.
The family is now urgently appealing for any information regarding Maemanah's whereabouts, fearing for her safety and determined to put an end to the torment inflicted by the alleged loan sharks. In this distressing situation, the community's support becomes paramount to resolving the plight of a domestic worker caught in the clutches of unlicensed moneylenders.
In a disturbing development surrounding the disappearance of their Indonesian maid, Maemanah, Ms. Ika Lestari has uncovered further unsettling details. Ms. Ika, a resident of Punggol, discovered a knife outside along the corridor, presumably used to forcibly open her drawer. Concerned for her safety and determined to address the escalating situation, Ms. Ika promptly filed a police report at Punggol Neighbourhood Police Centre last Friday around 4 pm.
Taking swift action, Ms. Ika also reached out to the Ministry of Manpower to cancel Maemanah's work permit, signaling a concerted effort to navigate the legal dimensions of this distressing incident. Amidst these developments, a concerned member of the public contacted Ms. Ika through Instagram last Saturday, revealing that her maid had been spotted on January 5th evening at Punggol Interchange in the company of a man, wearing the same clothes captured in the home surveillance footage.
Despite the ongoing harassment from unknown individuals, Ms. Ika remains resolute in her belief that Maemanah is still in Singapore. Her conviction is grounded in the fact that leaving the country would be improbable following the filed police report. Advised by the police to disregard the harassment and maintain secured premises, Ms. Ika and her family have taken additional measures to enhance their safety. They switched from conventional manual locks to digital locks for both the house door and gate, incurring a cost exceeding S$2,000.
The police, confirming the filing of a report, assured that investigations are actively underway. As the situation unfolds, Ms. Ika's quest for answers continues, driven by a mix of concern for Maemanah's well-being and the need to bring the perpetrators to justice. The family's proactive approach to fortifying their security underscores the gravity of the circumstances they find themselves entangled in.
In conclusion, the distressing ordeal surrounding the disappearance of the Indonesian maid, Maemanah, continues to unravel for Ms. Ika Lestari and her family in Punggol. The discovery of a knife used to open Ms. Ika's drawer adds a chilling dimension to the already concerning situation. Swift and resolute, Ms. Ika reported the incident to the police and promptly canceled Maemanah's work permit, signaling a commitment to addressing the legal aspects of the matter.
Despite ongoing harassment and the unnerving discovery, Ms. Ika received a tip from a concerned member of the public, suggesting that Maemanah was seen at Punggol Interchange on January 5th evening. This information, coupled with the belief that Maemanah remains in Singapore, has intensified the family's quest for answers. The decision to upgrade security measures, transitioning from manual to digital locks at a considerable cost, underscores the gravity of the threat faced by the family.
As investigations unfold, the family's determination to navigate through this distressing situation and bring those responsible to justice remains unwavering. The community's support and any additional information from the public are crucial in resolving the mystery surrounding Maemanah's disappearance. In the face of uncertainty, the resilience and proactive measures taken by Ms. Ika and her family serve as a testament to their commitment to seeking both answers and justice.