Regent can't stop illegal workers

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: East Flores Regent Hendrikus Hengki Mukin said it was practically impossible for him to prevent residents in his regency from working illegally in Malaysia.

Working in Malaysia -- legally or otherwise -- was a tradition among people in East Flores dating back to the Dutch colonial times, he was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday.

He predicted the number of people seeking work in Malaysia was likely to increase once the new liner --KM Sirimau -- began service linking Larantuka, an East Flores port town, and Batam, just south of Malaysia.

He said most people from East Flores entered Malaysia through Batam. "How can I prevent them from going to Batam?" he asked.

Hendrikus said he would encourage people going to Malaysia to use the legal channels.

Six East Flores workers were among the hundreds of Indonesians deported by Malaysia last month for working illegally there.

Between 15,000 and 20,000 workers from East Flores are believed to be in Malaysia, mostly working in plantation and construction sectors.

Hendrikus said, each month these workers sent Rp 200 million ($87,000) home to their relatives.

Many of the houses in Larantuka were built or upgraded with money from Malaysia, he said. (13)