Nurlela Usman, a 22-year-old Indonesian will go on trial for manslaughter at the Petaling Jaya sessions court tomorrow. Her desperate mother makes a tearful plea for help to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Darlia Idris Bah ( right ) claimed that her daughter - who has been in Kajang prison since 2004 - was duped into coming to Malaysia by traffickers who promised her job.

"Nurlela is a good girl who was trying to help her parents and school-age siblings," the anguished mother told Suhakam commissioner KC Vohrah yesterday.

"Please help my daughter get released. All her family members miss her, her grandparents miss her and want her to return," she said amid tears.

Nurlela was arrested on April 19, 2004, for having allegedly stabbed Malaysian Ng Wann Tsair, 29, two days earlier.

The incident took place at the Sutramas Apartment in Puchong Jaya. Nurlela was charged under Section 304 (a) of the Penal code for manslaughter which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years upon conviction.

Two other women who were with Nurlela were also arrested but charged under Section 6 (1) of the Immigration Act for illegal entry. They have since been deported to Indonesia.

Trafficking of women

Tenaganita director Irene Fernandez, who accompanied Darlia, said Nurlela's case has been postponed at least five times since April 30, 2004.

"Nurlela is a victim of human trafficking," claimed Fernandez, who requested Suhakam's intervention in this matter.

She also asked the commission look into the investigations on cases of trafficking of women, especially for prostitution.

"(Investigate) the inherent gaps and weaknesses in the law and its enforcement that only further victimises women and children who are trafficked into Malaysia," she said.

She also urged Suhakam to address the "non-recognition of the rights of victims of trafficking."

Vohrah said although Suhakam could not intervene in a court matter, the commission will nevertheless write and forward the materials to the police and the Public Prosecutor on the matter.