Illegal workers to be deported

SEMARANG: Around 700,000 illegal workers in Malaysia are set to be repatriated early next year, an official with the manpower ministry says.

Manpower and Transmigration Ministry's director general for migrant workers I Made Arka said that the Indonesian government had pleaded with Malaysia to defer the repatriation of illegal workers there until all crucial events here had transpired.

The events include the election runoff on Sept. 20 and Ramadhan fasting month which is expected to start next week.

"The Indonesian and Malaysian governments have come to an agreement that the repatriation will begin in January next year," he said. -- Antara