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.