RI, Malaysia to tackle transnational crimes

RI, Malaysia to tackle transnational crimes

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesian and Malaysian authorities are to meet in Kuala Lumpur
on Monday to find a common approach and strategy on how to fight
transnational criminal groups operating along the border of the
two countries.

The authorities are also expected to discuss issues of common
concern, including Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia and
terrorist networks operating in the two countries.

"The upcoming joint commission meeting will focus on efforts
to amend an existing memorandum of understanding on Indonesian
migrant workers and the increasing incidence of illegal logging,
illicit arms trafficking and human trafficking along the border
of the two countries," Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Hadi
Wayarabi told the media after meeting President Megawati
Soekarnoputri on Friday.

Ambassador Hadi said syndicates of child trafficking and
illicit arms trading were operating freely along the Indonesia-
Malaysian border in Kalimantan.

"The President has asked the Indonesian Police to pay
attention to many criminal activities along the border of the two
countries in Kalimantan," Hadi said.

Indonesia's delegation to the three-day joint commission
meeting will consist of Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan
Wirayuda, Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Yacob Nuwa Wea
and Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra.

The ministers are also expected to discuss the issue of four
Indonesians currently detained by Malaysian authorities for their
association with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda international
terrorist network.

Kuala Lumpur said in late January that four Indonesians were
among 13 men arrested for their links with the al-Qaeda terrorist
network, but Hassan said on Friday that his ministry had not
received any notification from Malaysian authorities about the
arrest of four Indonesians because of their alleged links to al-
Qaeda.

"I have not received any report about the issue," Hassan said
on Friday after accompanying Ambassador Hadi to meet Megawati.

"I will also clarify the matter because 'Indonesian origin'
does not necessarily mean they are Indonesian citizens. Moreover,
they are permanent residents in Malaysia," Hassan said on Friday.

According to Ambassador Hadi, the ministers would also discuss
the issue of Indonesian workers in Malaysia.

Indonesia's relations with Malaysia have been overshadowed by
the decision of the Malaysian government to halve the number of
Indonesians working in that country following a violent protest
by Indonesian workers at a textile plant there. At present there
are around 550,000 Indonesians legally working in Malaysia.

Despite Indonesia's appeal not to generalize, Malaysia has
started deporting Indonesian workers and has limited the jobs
they can take to housemaids or plantation laborers.

Former manpower minister Bomer Pasaribu suggested on Friday
that during the visit to Kuala Lumpur the delegation should focus
on attempts to improve the protection to Indonesians working in
Malaysia.

The delegation should encourage both Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur
to work together in drawing up regulations concerning the migrant
workers, he said.

"We need each other. There must be synergy between Indonesia
and Malaysia," said Bomer, director of the Center for Labor and
Development Studies (CLDS).

He said that the delegation should try to improve cooperation,
protection to workers and empowerment of related institutions.

Apart from the effort to restore diplomatic relations, Bomer
added, the government should modify its development approach from
the current market-oriented economy to an employment-based one.

The government has been supporting the export of Indonesian
workers, dubbing them as "the people of assets".

However, the law, which is hoped to provide protection for
Indonesians working overseas, is still in undergoing deliberation
at the House of Representatives (DPR).

Chairman of the House of Representatives's Legislation Body
Zein Badjeber sad that the protection would include the
recruitment, departure and the return of the workers.

In the meantime, chairman of the Indonesian Association of
Labor Export Companies (APJATI) Hussein Alaydrus blamed the
problems on the absence of a legal framework.

"The management of worker affairs is sloppy because there is
no law. We refer only to ministerial decrees, which always change
when there is a Cabinet reshuffle," said Alaydrus in a hearing
with legislators here on Friday.