KUALA LUMPUR: MIC's Yayasan Social Strategic had brought up cases of estate slavery to the police before.

Its assistant director, V. Vanita Ramany, said cases referred to the police were often not given sufficient attention.

She cited a case where an 18-year-old worker escaped from an estate in Bahau, Negri Sembilan, in March after enduring years of abuse.

"The girl sought our help and we referred her to the Bahau police. But till now, nothing has been done.

"She is currently under the care of a welfare home," said Vanita, who added that she had contacted Negri Sembilan police chief Datuk Osman Salleh over the matter.
While Osman was helpful, she said some policemen did not share his enthusiasm.

Vanita was commenting on a New Straits Times report on Monday where a family of eight, who had been enslaved in an estate for seven years, was interviewed.

Vanita also referred to one case in Malacca which was reported to the police. But the victim was arrested for armed robbery when he showed the scars on his body.

"The next day, he was released after the police realised they had made a mistake."

Vanita said there were also six other estate workers who had sought help but they never "showed up at our office again".