Jahar (third left) presents a memento to Abdul Karim at the Consulate General of The Republic of Indonesia yesterday. — Photo by Chimon Upon.
KUCHING: The Indonesian Consulate is drawing up plans for a competition to reward top Indonesian workers in the state.
Its Consul General, Jahar Gultom, said the idea was to recognise the hard work of this group of people.
“We want to give recognition and promote them (workers) so that they will become loyal to their employers,” he said when receiving a courtesy call from members of the Sarawak Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), led by their president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg, at his office here yesterday.
To realise this objective, Jahar, who became the new consul general last November, said his office needed the cooperation of the plantation, construction and industry sectors.
On trade ties between Sarawak and Indonesia, Jahar said it was relatively strong.
Citing statistics gathered in 2013, he said: “The figures show that Sarawak and Indonesia have a strong trade relationship that can be enhanced.”
On visitors, he said about 412,000 Indonesians from Kalimantan came to Sarawak in 2013, with an average of 230 visitors seeking medical treatment at private hospitals in Kuching daily.
However, only 22,000 Malaysians visited Kalimantan in 2013.
“We must improve on this disparity in terms of visitors. We are also ready to give strong support and assistance to any delegation from Sarawak who want to build a strong relationship with Indonesia in any sector, such as trade and economy, social-cultural and investment.”
To enhance ties, Jahar said the governor of West Kalimantan province was scheduled to visit Sarawak in June for Gawai Dayak.
“There will be a big delegation to Kuching, comprising traditional groups, businessmen and government officers.
“We hope Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud will make a trip to the province this year.”