Give-and-take policy excels
V.K. Chin, The Star /Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia
If there is any issue likely to cause friction between Indonesia and Malaysia it will most probably be the issue of illegal immigrants from the republic. Though there are also many nationalities from neighboring countries in the same boat, the fact is that Indonesians form the majority of them.
Both Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur are fully aware of this and so try to avoid such a situation from developing. There is just too much at stake for either to take advantage of the other.
They realize too that much mutual benefit could be gained by resolving this problem in a friendly manner, and it would be rather unwise to allow any minor disagreement to spoil the friendly atmosphere.
Malaysia needs foreign workers to help in its development while Indonesia has to give opportunities to its millions of unemployed to find work. As jobs are limited in the republic, they will need to go abroad to do so.
As both countries have similar language and culture Malaysia, as its nearest neighbor is therefore the preferred choice of most Indonesians who wish to try their luck overseas.
For this reason, both governments are prepared to adopt a give-and-take policy in order for such good ties to exist.
To maintain such cordiality, Malaysia has been quite accommodating to any Indonesian request on this issue. To encourage the tens of thousands of illegal immigrants to leave, Malaysia has offered them an amnesty during the Hari Raya festive season so that they could go home without any action being taken against them.
The amnesty, which was supposed to end on Nov. 14, was extended to the end of the year at Indonesia's request. But it would be unreasonable to extend it any further and Indonesia did not insist on this.
However, it also would be unreasonable for Malaysia to ask for a guarantee that Indonesia stop its citizens from entering this country illegally.
Therefore, no such request was made during the recent visit of Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. What is more important is that both governments continue to co-operate on this matter.
The crackdown against the illegals will start next month when a few hundred thousand enforcement personnel and volunteers go after foreigners who have breached immigration rules.
The government is prepared to trace and apprehend each and every one of them and it will be almost impossible for the foreigners to hide for long.
The illegals must be aware by now that the government will punish offenders and they must know that we mean business. So it is better for them to leave before the deadline instead of facing possible punishment in accordance with local laws.