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Published: Thursday November 12, 2009 MYT 4:20:00 PM
Updated: Thursday November 12, 2009 MYT 4:23:37 PM

Indonesian workers will be protected: PM

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS


mazwin@thestar.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has assured Indonesians working here that their rights and interests will be protected but also issued a stern reminder against those who flout the country’s laws.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the presence of Indonesian workers in the country were appreciated, adding that he hoped those who want to work here do so legally to avoid them from being exploited by irresponsible parties.

“If they are legal workers, then it is easier to render assistance and protect their rights. They will be treated fairly and justly.

“However, we hope they will not do anything wrong while working here. If there are any transgressions of the law, they will be dealt with accordingly like any other persons, including locals, who violate the law,

“During my meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono just now, I explained the matter to him and he understands our position,” he told reporters at a joint press conference with the Indonesian president, who was here for a two-day vist that ended Thursday.

Najib stressed that Malaysians who flout the law and abuse their workers, including foreign hired hands, would also have to face legal consequences and it had been proven that those who treated their workers wrongly were taken to task.

Incidences of abuse, particularly among maids, had irked Indonesia, resulting in the government stopping its citizens from coming here to work as domestic helpers.

In the most recent incident in October, maid Muntik Bani, 36, from Surabaya died after succumbing to injuries caused allegedly caused by abuse. Her employer A. Murugan, 35, a sugarcane juice seller, has since been charged with her murder.

There are currently some 280,000 foreign maids working in Malaysia of which Indonesians make up more than 90%. The rest comprise 15,000 from the Philippines and between 1,000 and 2,000 each from Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Meanwhile Susilo said that Indonesia was constantly working with the authorities in other countries, including Malaysia, to ensure that its people working in foreign lands were treated well and accorded their rights.

He also said he was satisfied with what Malaysia has been doing to ensure the rights and welfare of Indonesian workers here, but there were still room for improvement.

“On behalf of Indonesia, I thank Malaysia for accepting my people to work here. They contribute to this country’s economic development and we hope to work closely together to improve the existing system and mechanism that look after my people’s welfare and interests here.

“I appreciate the explanation given by Prime Minister Najib and whoever violates the law must be dealt with a high level of transparency to avoid misunderstanding.

“I also expect Indonesians who live here to respect Malaysian laws as we expect foreigners to respect the laws that we have in place in Indonesia,” he said.

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Malaysia, Indonesia to rise above petty issues (Update)
Susilo arrives for two-day visit
Susilo’s visit tomorrow to cement strong ties
Najib: Malaysia and Indonesia can step up cooperation
Najib in Jakarta for Susilo’s inauguration
Najib: M’sia’s relationship with Indonesia has always been cordial
The media should not inflame the situation, says Anifah

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