Malaysia asked to extend deadline

Malaysia asked to extend deadline

JAKARTA: Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea said on Monday that he had asked the Malaysian government to extend the deadline for Indonesia's illegal workers to leave the neighboring country.

The Malaysian government warned Indonesian workers several months ago to leave the country before Aug. 1, 2002, because it was going to enforce a new strict policy on migrant workers.

Jacob said many migrant workers were not aware of the new rulings and would need time to prepare for repatriation.

Malaysia will punish illegal migrant workers with a fine of up to 10,000 Ringgit, a maximum five years imprisonment or six strokes of a rattan cane.

According to the Association of Labor Export Companies (Apjati), Malaysia employs between 400,000 and 600,000 Indonesians who migrate to the neighboring country illegally.

Jacob said Jakarta would ask the Malaysian government to discuss the procedure for sending illegal migrants home.

"Most deported workers will return through Kalimantan and Riau, while most had originated from Java. We will ask the Malaysian government to inform us before sending them back so we can pick them up and drop them off close to home," the minister said. --JP