Artist shuns Malaysia over labor issue<\/p>\n
PEKANBARU, Riau: In a protest against Malaysia's handling of
\nillegal workers, most of whom are Indonesians, a noted local
\nartist Idrus Tintin said he would not accept an invitation for a
\nfunction at the Malaysian consulate here later this month.<\/p>\n
Idrus was invited to attend the function to celebrate
\nMalaysia's Independence Day on Aug. 31, but said he would not
\naccept it.<\/p>\n
\"It's a show of my concern over the fate of Indonesian workers
\nexpelled or caned by Malaysia,\" he said in the Riau capital of
\nPekanbaru on Monday.<\/p>\n
Idrus said he was previously a loyal sympathizer with Malaysia
\nas a neighboring Malay state for its success in improving its
\npeople's welfare.<\/p>\n
But now he feels extremely disappointed after Malaysia became
\nirate with Indonesian workers, both legal and illegal, after
\nintense rioting earlier this year, and decided to impose a harsh
\nlaw to evict most of them.<\/p>\n
Idrus condemned the punishment of caning as \"inhuman\", while
\ncriticizing Kuala Lumpur for failing to take stern action against
\nMalaysian brokers who, he alleged, recruited the illegal workers.
\n--Antara<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/artist-shuns-malaysia-over-labor-issue-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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