Indonesian national Suriyani Nas, who alleged she was raped by a former member of the people's volunteer corps Rela, has given birth and is awaiting the findings of the DNA tests to determine the paternity of the child.

Suriyani, 20, gave birth to a girl on Nov 17 at the Ampang Hospital in Selangor. The same day, a sample of the infant's blood was taken for the purpose of the DNA tests.

The undocumented migrant who hails from Lombok near Bali, had claimed that she met the Rela member earlier this year after escaping from an abusive employer in Johor Baru.

He had offered to find her a job in Kajang. Instead, Suriyani alleged that her 'rescuer' kept her in captivity and subjected her to a month of torture and sexual abuse.

The ordeal ended when another Rela member rescued her while her alleged tormentor was away, and took her to the local police station.

Despite having named her captor and her willingness to testify, Suriyani was sent to the Semenyih detention centre as an 'illegal immigrant'.

She was only released about a month later when officials from the Indonesian Embassy came to her assistance after being alerted to her case.

To their disappointment, though, representations to the Malaysian foreign affairs ministry and Attorney-General's Chambers were met by the response that there was "insufficient evidence" to press criminal charges against the suspect.

The embassy was urged to send Suriyani back to Indonesia as soon as possible due to her status as an undocumented migrant.

Rela, meanwhile, said it had taken sufficient disciplinary action when it stripped the accused of his membership in the corps despite "insufficient evidence" of the alleged crime.

Embassy 'appreciative'

Things may be looking up for Suriyani, however, as there now appears to be a reversal of the authorities' stand.

Following Suriyani's discharge from the hospital last week and her return to the Indonesian embassy's half-way house for nationals seeking shelter, Kajang police yesterday recorded her statement in relation to her allegation.

According to an embassy official who was present, the police officers spent some time noting down what Suriyani could recall relating to the chronology and details of her claims.

When contacted, acting Indonesian ambassador Tatang Razak expressed appreciation of the authorities' reversal of their refusal to take the matter seriously.

"We respect the laws in Malaysia and we believe in its justice system. We trust that the process of law will take its due course and lead to the appropriate action by the government." said Tatang.

"We are hoping that the matter can be expedited because Suriyani has been here for a long time and both she and her family in Indonesia seek her return as soon as possible. However, Suriyani and the embassy will wait it out until the matter is concluded."