Suhakam is trying to assist the two 'princesses' from an ancient Indonesian empire, now held in a Miri detention camp, to be transferred to Kuching.

Suhakam Commissioner S Siva Subramaniam said the duo, who claimed to be princesses from the Sunda Democratic Empire, have sought Suhakam's assistance to be moved to a detention centre in Kuching, where their problems could possibly be resolved more expeditiously. Kuching is the state capital.

Puteri Lamia Wiranata and Puteri Fathia Reza, who claimed to be residing in Switzerland, were detained after they were found in a 2km long buffer zone between the Sungai Tujuh immigration checkpoint in Sarawak and the Kuala Belait checkpoint in Brunei.

Sticky issues surrounding their immigration problems include their passports which are not recognised by the Malaysian government.

The Western Javanese 'blue-bloods' carry passports 'issued' by the Sunda Democratic Empire, indicating their status as princesses of Sunda (Sunda is an ancient west Java empire in Indonesia).

According to a New Straits Times report, Lamia and Fathia ( right ) were ordered to be remanded for 14 days by the Magistrate's Court in Miri to facilitate investigations, but the Immigration Department still has not decided whether to deport them.

Can seek legal help

Meanwhile, the Star reported today that the two girls were being held with drug addicts and prostitutes at a police lock-up in Miri.

Pending investigation, "they have to abide by the immigration rules and regulations, but we are trying our best to get them to a comfortable centre," said Siva.

He added that there should not be a prohibition for them to get legal counsel on the matter.

The newspaper also reported that "the department was unsure of the women's status," according to State Immigration Department deputy director Ken Leben.

He said the department was also unsure of the decision to detain the women as they were in the buffer zone, which is "no-man's land".

The two 'princesses' were said to speak fluent English and Bahasa Indonesia.