KUALA LUMPUR - MAID abuse has become the latest irritant in a diplomatic spat between Malaysia and Indonesia, as labour groups press for better protection for vulnerable migrant workers.

Pictures of Indonesian domestic worker Siti Hajar with horrific scars all over her body were splashed across newspapers recently after she was reportedly tortured by her Malaysian female employer for three years.

Reliving her painful ordeal, Ms Hajar said she was still haunted by the actions of her employer, who allegedly threatened to kill her if she ran away.

Malaysia is home to some 1.2 million documented Indonesian workers and a further 800,000 who come here illegally to escape poverty.

The country has no laws governing conditions for domestic workers but the government has promised to draft legislation to protect them from sexual harassment, non-payment of wages and poor working conditions.

Yet abuses have continued and about 1,000 maids experience violence and mistreatment in Malaysia annually, Indonesian officials say.

Such incidents have sparked vocal protest from Indonesia as it considers a temporary halt to the flow to Malaysia of its domestic helpers, who work long hours but are paid just 450 ringgit (S$184) a month.

A senior Indonesian diplomat warned that such incidents could hurt bilateral ties unless Malaysia protects Indonesian workers.

The Indonesian government has established a shelter at its mission here and houses at least 200 women who have managed to escape their abusive employers.

G. Rajasekaran, secretary-general of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, told AFP the government should enforce minimum standards on working hours, living conditions and minimum wages of 600 ringgit for the maids. -- AFP