JAKARTA: Malaysia will discuss in detail with Indonesia the standard operating procedures (SOP) relating to recruitment, salary and protection of workers from Indonesia, said Malaysia’s Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim.
He said the Malaysian Ministry of Human Resources and the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration (TKI) would hold a discussion in April over new mechanisms regarding the recruitment of Indonesian workers.
“The Memorandum of Understanding on the recruitment of Indonesian workers expired in 2016. I will also meet with TKI Minister Muhammad Hanif Dhakiri in the near future,” he told reporters here.
Zahrain said he would also convey the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to Muhammad Hanif to discuss issues pertaining to Indonesian workers in Malaysia.
“In order to prevent this issue from recurring, the two governments should discuss and look for more effective measures,” he said.
The issue of Indonesian workers in Malaysia turned into a polemic again following the death of an Indonesian maid Adelina Lisao, 28, who was allegedly abused by her employers on Feb 11.
Zahrain said Malaysia expressed regret over the incident and would not compromise with those found guilty of the offence.
“According to statistics, there are 124,664 foreign maids in Malaysia. This is an isolated case … a human issue that should be addressed together,” he said.
According to him, taking a unilateral action by imposing a moratorium on sending Indonesian maids was not a best solution to the issue.
“I’m concerned that the moratorium will lead to illegal entry of foreign workers by irresponsible parties,” he added. — Bernama