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.