This is a case that has been in the news for some time. You can read an account from go to whoa here (you will have to do a search to get all the relevant pieces to the puzzle). It is a fascinating tale and somewhat tragic as well if all that is being reported is true. I have been following the news but have never gotten around to writing about it. However, the recent "escape" by Manohara (photo courtesy of AFP) from her captors makes this far more interesting as there are myriad of possibilities opening up on the Indonesian / Malaysian bilateral relationship front.
The basic gist of the story is that Manohara, who is part Indonesian and part American, a part-time model, and reportedly a regular on the Jakartan and Indonesian social scene, was married off at just 16 years of age to a Malaysian prince. Sounds like a bit of a fairy tale so far. However, the prince, Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry or Kelantan State, was not so much prince charming but rather prince nightmare in Kelantan State.
Manohara has claimed that she has been a victim, specifically she has said she was a sex slave, who has not only been raped, but tortured as well. The torture includes having her chest slashed with a razor blade (I am guessing that if this ever goes to trial then the pictures will find their way to the Internet eventually).
The plot of this saga is an interesting one as the reports of abuse have been not so secret for some time. Manohara's mother when tried to get into Malaysia to check the reports out for herself but was blocked from doing so by Malaysian authorities. The Indonesian government was not so forth coming in providing any consular assistance either. The mother, Daisy Fajarina, is threatening to get the legal action ball rolling and suing the prince. Perhaps she should sue the Indonesian government as well considering it was the Indonesian government that said Manohara was all well with her happy-go-lucky prince charming.
The other thing to consider is Manohara' age and the fact that her mother seems to have agreed to, and signed off on, the marriage. So, should she be held partly responsible, contributory negligence on the old lady's part?
The escape seems to have been well-coordinated and premised on some good behaviour on Manohara's part as the prince let her travel to Singapore with the prince's family. Whilst in Singapore Manohara did the big bolt and with the assistance of Singaporean police she has managed to find her way to Jakarta and freedom.
Funnily enough the Indonesian authorities are now saying that they would be willing to assist her if she was keen to file charges. If charges are to be filed then it would appear that seeing the alleged crimes were committed in Malaysia's jurisdiction then the charges must be filed there. I am also guessing that Manohara might have to return to Malaysia to give testimony in any trial (although I would have to check whether Malaysian law would allow in camera testimony via video link from Jakarta).
This case has all the ingredients for a sensational trial if it is allowed to get that far. Hopefully, it is not just consigned to the gossip scrapheap.
I am guessing a divorce must be the first item on the agenda.
9 comments:
Tit-bits - role of FBI in singapore; the mother ignoring the feminists after earlier calling them in to help; islamic law in Kelantan
Lawgirl...
As I said, I have been following the case, but probably should qualify that to say, I have been reading others who have been following the case.
All interesting points as well.
I just think this case has all the potential for a good sensational trial. It will be quite interesting to watch it unfold, assuming that it does.
The fact that an older man would seek a teenaged bride smacks of perversion right then and there. This perversion has been acceptable in a country under the guise of religious acceptance and social norms. I really hope this case would be followed-up. Royalty arrogance has no place in this world.And the world is watching.
Anonymous...
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. I much prefer people to adopt a pen name so that I can distinguish one commentator from another. It sometimes gets a little confusing when there are lots of anonymous posters commenting on all manner of posts.
I make no aspersions on the perversion aspects here. Simply, the facts (at least as they are being reported to date) suggest that Manohara's mother was not against the marriage at the start. Although, I think I have read somewhere that there was an allegation of kidnapping in there somewhere (I have not followed as closely as perhaps I should have).
Arrogance, perhaps.
I don't know that the world is watching, but I am sure Indonesia and Malaysia are.
i hope they divorce...
Anonymous...
Let me start with the same comment as for the previous anonymous as I do not know whether you are the same person.
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. I much prefer people to adopt a pen name so that I can distinguish one commentator from another. It sometimes gets a little confusing when there are lots of anonymous posters commenting on all manner of posts.
As I said in my posts on this matter, a divorce seems likely to be on the cards and Manohara is suggesting that this is what she intends to do.
So, I guess we will see.
ok let see if mano claim or not the TT's money or property.if she claims that mean she just intend his money only.
Minlin...
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment.
I wonder if there was a pre-nuptial agreement in place?
If the marriage is legitimate in the sense of it being lawful in Malaysia then shouldn't Manohara be legally entitled to whatever the Malaysian law stipulates?
For my part one and all ought to look at it.
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