Quarrel with KL feared to affect workers

Quarrel with KL feared to affect workers

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The continuing row between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur could
increase the difficulties faced by Indonesian workers in
Malaysia, a governor warned on Thursday.

West Nusa Tenggara Governor Harun Al Rasyid told reporters he
was afraid that Indonesian migrant workers would have to pay a
high price if the two countries failed to mend their fences.

"If the issue is not settled immediately, we are afraid it
will adversely affect our migrant workers there," he said as
quoted by Antara in the provincial capital of Mataram.

West Nusa Tenggara is one of the provinces that export labor
to Malaysia. Harun said most of the migrant workers from the
province were legal.

He suggested that the political elite in Jakarta exercise
restraint and avoid making statements that would only worsen the
already strained bilateral ties.

Despite calls for calm from President Megawati Soekarnoputri
and Vice President Hamzah Haz, legislators in the House of
Representatives and People's Consultative Assembly have continued
to condemn Malaysia, whose strict Immigration Act has forced
480,000 illegal Indonesian workers to leave the neighboring
country.

House leaders suggested on Wednesday that the government bring
home all Indonesian workers in retaliation for Malaysia's issuing
of a travel warning advising its citizens to avoid Indonesia.

However, Harun said Indonesia should be grateful to the
Malaysians and seek every avenue to prevent migrants illegally
entering the neighboring country.

In stark contrast, Assembly Speaker Amien Rais continued to
defy the calls for calm in the row with Malaysia.

Speaking to reporters in Jakarta on Thursday, Amien said
Indonesia had to stand up for itself.

"As a big nation, we should prevent Malaysia from belittling
us. This big nation should hold its head high. If we keep bowing
down again and again, little Malaysia will just pat our head," he
said.

Despite his strong remarks, Amien denied he was fueling
antipathy between Indonesia and Malaysia.

"Indonesia is not the party that has lit the fire, but rather
Malaysia. It is the caning issue that hurts and insults our
nation," Amien said.

However, he stopped short of criticizing other countries which
applied the same punishment.

Amien insisted that the effort to mend ties should be
initiated by Malaysia.

As for the government, Amien said the country needed to make
improvements in its labor export policy so as to expunge its
long-standing reputation as an exporter of illegal workers.