A Long Road Home: Malaysian Woman’s 18-Year Ordeal Ends in Repatriation
After an arduous 18-year journey stranded overseas, Malaysian national Norida Akmal Ayob has finally returned home, her repatriation on Saturday marking the end of a deeply challenging chapter in her life. The 45-year-old recounted her experiences, detailing the circumstances that led to her prolonged absence and the struggles she endured.
Norida’s journey began in 2007 when she followed her husband to his hometown in Lombok, Indonesia, two years after their marriage. However, her life took an unexpected and difficult turn when the marriage did not unfold as she had envisioned. As the wife of a paddy farmer, her initial life was modest. Yet, her status as a foreigner without proper documentation severely restricted her movements and plunged her into a constant state of anxiety.
She explained that her former husband failed to register their marriage and did not arrange for her visa. This left both her citizenship status and that of their eldest child unresolved. To navigate daily life, she resorted to using false documents obtained through illegal channels.
The marriage, which she described as unhappy, eventually ended in divorce approximately a year ago. This separation left Norida without her primary source of support. She was subsequently evicted from her former in-laws’ home, forcing her to face periods of extreme hardship, including instances where she went hungry for an entire day due to a lack of funds for food.
To survive, Norida took on various odd jobs. These included sweeping, washing clothes, and working as a restaurant helper, all of which provided an irregular income. Her circumstances began to improve when she met a woman at a local surau. This encounter proved to be a turning point.
The woman offered Norida work making traditional Malay cakes, known as kuih. Crucially, she also allowed Norida to reside rent-free in her mother’s vacant ancestral home, providing a much-needed shelter.
The income generated from selling kuih ranged between 25,000 and 80,000 Indonesian rupiah daily, which is approximately RM7 to RM24. Norida managed this modest income prudently, using it to sustain her livelihood and slowly rebuild her life.
While Norida has successfully returned to Malaysia with her eldest child, 20-year-old Nurfatin Akmadiana Badi, she expressed deep sorrow over being separated from her 18-year-old son. Her son remains in Lombok.
“My son wanted to come to Malaysia but was hindered by financial constraints,” Norida shared. “He is safe there as he is an Indonesian citizen, and efforts are underway to bring him here.” This lingering separation highlights the incomplete nature of her return, with the hope of reuniting her family still a priority.
Regarding her immediate future, Norida admitted that she is still deeply traumatised by the ordeal she has endured. She feels she needs time to process her experiences before making any decisions about her next steps. The emotional and psychological toll of nearly two decades of uncertainty and hardship is clearly a significant factor in her recovery.
Norida and Nurfatin arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA2) Terminal 2 on Saturday. Their repatriation was facilitated by efforts initiated by the Deputy Home Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Lenggong.
Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar highlighted that their safe return was the culmination of a collaborative effort. This involved cooperation between Wisma Putra, through the Malaysian Embassy in Indonesia, the Immigration Department, and the relevant Indonesian authorities. This inter-agency and international cooperation was instrumental in overcoming the complex challenges associated with repatriating a Malaysian citizen stranded abroad for such an extended period.
