Nenah Faces Death Penalty in Dubai, Family in Majalengka Pleads for Government Help

MAJALENGKA, KOMPAS.com - Nenah Arsinah (43), an Indonesian Migrant Worker (PMI) from Blok Selasa Cikokoro, Desa Ranji Wetan, Kasokandel District, Majalengka Regency, West Java, has been imprisoned in Sharjah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for nearly 12 years.

She was implicated in a murder case. However, her family firmly believes that Nenah never committed the act in question. Recently, the family received news that Nenah now faces the death penalty.

Back home, her family is overwhelmed with worry about this development.

Speaking on behalf of their father, Astawi (72), Dede Kartalim (37), Nenah's younger brother, has appealed for the Indonesian government to intervene and ensure justice for his sister.

"I earnestly request the local government officials — the Subdistrict Head, the Regent, the Governor of KDM, and especially President Prabowo Subianto — to help investigate this matter," Dede said during an interview with Kompas.com at their residence on Saturday (9/19/2026).

The case involving Nenah dates back to 2014.

Nenah had been working in Dubai since 2011. In August 2014, she returned to Majalengka after her mother passed away.

“In 2014, precisely on July 28, my mother passed away. My sister got the news through Facebook. She said, ‘Mom passed away, right?’ I said yes. She cried on the phone and wanted to come home,” Dede recounted.

Nenah took a one-month leave to return home. After her leave ended, she intended to return to Dubai.

The family tried to discourage her from going back, worried about the behavior of her employer, which they found unsuitable. Still, Nenah was determined to go back.

The family even accompanied Nenah to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in September 2014, marking the last time they saw her in person.

Found Employer’s Driver Dead in Room

One month after returning to Dubai, tragedy struck.

In October 2014, Nenah informed her family that she had found her employer’s driver, an Indian migrant worker, dead in a room.

"She said, ‘Suddenly one morning I knocked on the door but got no response. When I opened it, he was lying stiff.’ My sister didn't dare touch him, she just observed and then reported to the employer," Dede shared, recounting his conversation with Nenah.

Initially, the local police only conducted a body evacuation. Nenah was considered merely a witness in the case of the discovered corpse.