Four key points to be raised

MALAYSIAN ambassador to Indonesia told to raise key issues with republic’s human resource minister.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim will meet the Indonesian human resource minister soon to iron out issues pertaining to maids.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he contacted Zahrain recently and told him to relay four points to the Indonesian minister on Malaysia’s stand on the issues to preserve the bilateral relations between the two countries.

“Firstly, incidents of physical abuse of maids (in Malaysia) are isolated cases.

“Secondly, the Malaysian government and enforcement authorities do not protect or ‘cover up’ cases of abuse involving maids or any other foreign workers.

“Thirdly, we request for the memorandum of understanding, which expired in 2016, to be updated and discussed between Malaysian and Indonesian Human Resources Ministries,” Zahid said after a soft launch of the International Exhibition on National Security Asia 2018 yesterday.

He said the ties between Malaysia and Indonesia should be preserved as both countries had formed a mutually beneficial relationship.

“Fourthly, I have asked our ambassador to inform (the Indonesian government) of Malaysia’s commitment to continue its cooperation with Indonesia, which should be accepted as Malaysia and Indonesia need each other.

“Indonesia needs to send out its workforce and we need workers.

“Our approach is (to achieve) a win-win situation.

“We hope all of the four points could be discussed between Zahrain and the minister.”

Zahid was commenting on a news report which quoted an article on Indonesian portal Sindo News that Jakarta would freeze the flow of maids to Indonesia, following the death of Adelina Lisao, 26, who was abused by her employer.

The development was relayed by Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Rusdi Kirana last week.