Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
Repeating his promise that every Indonesian worker would receive fair treatment,
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said action would be taken if reports
were lodged against abusive employers.
<p>"We do not and cannot protect anyone who commits an offence," he
said at a dinner hosted by South Sulawesi Governor Amin Syam attended by some
500 people in Makassar on Monday.</p>
<p>Loud applause by Indonesian guests greeted his assurance, a small but significant
sign of improved ties. The Indonesian press has criticised Malaysia for alleged
lack of enforcement against abuses of Indonesian maids and contract labourers.</p>
<p>Najib said if the government noticed that the courts were taking too long to
resolve cases involving Indonesians, more steps would be taken.</p>
<p>"In the name of the people and in the name of our bilateral relations,
we will ensure the courts move faster to resolve these cases," he said
to another round of applause.</p>
<p>The atmosphere at the open-air dinner in the compound of the governor’s
residence was cordial and jovial.</p>
<p>Najib said both countries’ special relationship deserved more intimate
attention.</p>
<p>"We must give attention to matters we consider small because, based on
our close and familial relationship, we need to make sure the small things do
not escalate into something bigger."</p>
<p>Among the guests at the dinner was Indonesian National Education Minister Dr
Bambang Sudibyo, who said when both countries jettisoned the sentiments of Konfrontasi,
they could forge a genuine friendship.</p>
<p>During the Konfrontasi (1963-1965), Indonesia’s Pre-sident Sukarno, influenced
by communists in his cabinet, declared a policy of confrontation against the
formation of Malaysia, which he alleged was a neo-colonial project. Sukarno’s
policy of "Crush Malaysia" ended with a coup d’etat that also
ended his leadership.</p>
<p>Bambang said: "Both countries have been successful in solving bilateral
problems amicably. We must always appreciate this special relationship that
has overcome so many obstacles.</p>
<p>"Most importantly, we must get rid of wrong perceptions and stereotypes."</p>
<p>Misunderstandings between the two countries in recent years have been about
perceptions, prompting Najib to appeal to citizens of both countries to differentiate
between perceptions and realities.</p>
<p>He said Indonesians should realise that they, too, had successful people in
Malaysia, including those who owned five-star hotels, such as the Westin Langkawi
and Kuala Lum-pur’s Sheraton Imperial.</p>
<p>"Another wrong perception is that Malaysians own all plantations in Indonesia.
It’s not true but I have asked our plantation owners not to have 100 per
cent ownership in Indonesia. Malaysian companies should have joint-ventures
with Indonesian partners."</p>
<p>Most importantly, he said, Indonesians should discard the perception that "Malay-sians
want to monopolise the Indonesian economy".</p>
<p>He said Malaysia would rather have deeper economic integration between the
two countries that would benefit them mutually.</p>
<p>"When this happens, I believe politics will follow suit in a positive
manner."</p>
<p>Najib said Malaysia was the biggest foreign investor in Indonesia with RM8.4
billion and he hoped it would increase three-fold in the future.</p>
<p>Malaysia’s imports from Indonesia amount to RM18.1 billion and total trade
between the two countries is at RM33 billion, in favour of Indonesia.</p>
<p>Malaysia provides employment to 1.5 million legal Indonesian workers, including
300,000 maids. It is believed there are 500,000 Indonesians staying illegally
in Malaysia.</p>
<p><i>Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/National/20070912085728/Article/index_html</i>
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