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