KL sticks to its labor policy despite plea by RI<\/p>\n
M. Jegathesan, Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur<\/p>\n
Malaysia Tuesday rejected a plea by Jakarta that it reconsider
\na decision to cut down the number of Indonesian workers in the
\ncountry because of recent riots.<\/p>\n
Malaysia would stick to its new policy of employing
\nIndonesians only as maids and plantation workers, said Malaysian
\nForeign Minister Syed Hamid Albar.<\/p>\n
He was speaking to reporters after a meeting here of the
\nMalaysia-Indonesia Joint Commission, which he headed along with
\nhis Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda.<\/p>\n
"We take note of their request (to reconsider)" Syed Hamid
\nsaid. "But we will continue to employ Indonesians on the basis of
\nneed for the plantation and domestic maid services (only). Our
\npolicy remains."<\/p>\n
Syed Hamid said that Indonesia asked Malaysia to reconsider
\nits decision because it would have a severe economic impact on
\nits fragile economy.<\/p>\n
Labor officials say some three billion ringgit (US$ 789
\nmillion) is remitted out of Malaysia by foreign workers yearly.
\nIndonesians make up 566,983 out of a total of 769,566 legal
\nforeign workers in the country.<\/p>\n
Malaysia announced the clampdown on the recruitment of
\nIndonesians after two riots by textile and construction workers
\nlast month, saying it would now look to Thailand, Cambodia,
\nNepal, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines and India to supply the
\nlabor market.<\/p>\n
In his opening remarks at Tuesday's meeting, Hassan expressed
\nIndonesia's regret over the riots.<\/p>\n
He said his country was in the midst of shaping a new system
\nof recruitment that would involve the government and urged
\nMalaysia to support the plan.<\/p>\n
"We hope we can unite and find solutions to our common
\nproblems. We must overcome differences that exist," he said.<\/p>\n
The joint-commission meeting, the first between the neighbors
\nsince 1997, is due to end Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Syed Hamid described the talks as cordial and fruitful, saying
\nboth countries agreed to cooperate closely to fight terrorism,
\nmilitancy and extremism.<\/p>\n
He said earlier in his opening remarks the scope of the
\nmeeting was wide and included foreign workers, human smuggling,
\nterrorism, investment and trade, illegal immigrants and fishing
\nproblems in the Malacca Straits.<\/p>\n
He described ties between Malaysia and Indonesia as close and
\nsaid he hoped the meeting would provide a forum to resolve
\nexisting problems.<\/p>\n
"These problems must be carefully overcome through the joint
\ncommission and not be exploited by any parties, including the
\nmedia, which will have a negative impact on our close ties," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Syed Hamid said both countries must preserve their solidarity
\namid economic difficulties, adding "we are faced with new threats
\nfrom extremists and militant groups who can rock the region's
\nstability".<\/p>\n
"To succeed in overcoming the challenges, we need to
\ncooperate," he said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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