LENGGONG: A Malaysian woman has expressed profound relief after being repatriated following an 18-year ordeal in Lombok, Indonesia. Norida Akmal Ayob, 45, returned to Malaysia on Saturday with her eldest daughter.
She had followed her husband to his hometown in 2007, two years after their marriage. Her life changed dramatically when the marriage did not turn out as she had hoped.
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Her status as a foreigner without valid documents restricted her movement and caused constant anxiety. “My former husband not only failed to register our marriage and arrange my visa, but also left both my citizenship status and that of my eldest child unresolved,” she said.
She claimed he resorted to false documents obtained via illegal channels to get by. The marriage ended in divorce a year ago, after which she lost all support and was evicted from her in-laws’ home.
Norida said she sometimes endured hunger for an entire day because she had no money for food. She took on various low-paying jobs like sweeping, washing clothes, and working as a restaurant helper.
Her situation improved slightly after meeting a woman at a surau who offered her work making
kuih. The woman also allowed her to stay in a vacant ancestral home for free.
Income from selling
kuih, between 25,000 and 80,000 Indonesian rupiah a day, was prudently used to sustain her livelihood. She has returned safely with her 20-year-old daughter, Nurfatin Akmadiana Badi.
However, Norida said she misses her 18-year-old son, who remains in Lombok. “My son wanted to come to Malaysia but was hindered by financial constraints,” she explained.
She added that he is safe as an Indonesian citizen, and efforts are underway to bring him to Malaysia. Regarding her future, Norida said she is still traumatised and needs time before deciding her next step.
Their return was initiated by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah. Shamsul Anuar, who is also the Lenggong MP, said it resulted from cooperation between Wisma Putra, the Malaysian Embassy in Indonesia, the Immigration Department and Indonesian authorities.
