Malaysia refuses to ease tough policy on illegal workers

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Tampak Siring, Bali

The Indonesian government's efforts to ease the plight of Indonesian illegal workers in Malaysia have come to a dead end with Malaysia apparently refusing to change its policy.

Indonesian foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda confirmed on Wednesday that visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad would not sign any document regarding labor issues during his two-day visit to Bali.

"There will be no document on Indonesian workers signed during this visit. We are just going to have to discuss the matter in bilateral meetings," the minister said.

Mahathir's visit comes at a time when over 100,000 Indonesian workers are trying to flee Malaysia before the Malaysian government imposes a strict new immigration law on Aug. 1 to crack down on illegal workers through harsh punishments, including caning.

Many of those workers are believed to be still stranded in border areas. And those who have managed to reach Indonesian ports or cities face uncertainties as they have no jobs.

Indonesia has asked Malaysia to give another month for Indonesian illegal workers to leave the country, but Malaysia apparently gave a cold response as it says it has already given a four-month grace period for illegal workers to go home.

"Malaysia is still considering the request and so far our government is trying to set up posts to help these workers to return home," Hasan said, adding that the Indonesian request would be discussed during a bilateral meeting on Thursday.

According to Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia Hadi Wayarabi, the Indonesian government proposed three memorandums of understanding on labor issues to Malaysia three weeks ago.

The first two MoUs -- on the recruitment and replacement of workers -- would still be brought to the Malaysian cabinet, while the third MoU on the deportation of illegal workers was considered irrelevant as the 'deportations' had already taken place, Hadi said.

Labor issues will likely continue to pose as a thorn in bilateral ties.

What might irk the sensitivities of Indonesians even more would be Malaysia's decision to put Indonesian workers at the bottom of the list for recruitment purposes.

However, Malaysian foreign minister Hamid Albar played down fears that the issue of illegal workers would jeopardize bilateral relations.

"Our relations are good and firm, and they will not be upset by any incidents that have nothing to do with our long-term relationship," Hamid Albar said upon his arrival in Denpasar.

Besides the labor issue, Mahathir will hold bilateral talk with Megawati on Thursday to discuss many other outstanding issues, including security, terrorism, illegal logging and the haze problem.

On Thursday, Megawati and Mahathir are scheduled to witness the signing of five memorandums of understanding, including one on immigration arrangements that will simplify the entry process between the two countries.

Also on the second day of the visit, both leaders will witness the official first delivery of natural gas from Indonesian state- owned oil and gas company Pertamina to its counterpart Petronas. The ceremony will be held in Tampak Siring.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is also scheduled to arrive in Bali on Thursday and join a luncheon with the two leaders, before witnessing the singing of a trilateral cooperation agreement on the rubber trade.

All three leaders are slated to leave Bali on Thursday evening.