Subra: Not for embassy official to advise govt on suspension

IPOH: Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam says it is “out of place” for an Indonesian Embassy official to advise his government to suspend the sending of maids to Malaysia.

“Normally, officers who work in embassies will not issue policy statements as it is dealt with by leaders of the country.

“If the officer has his views, he should send it to his government for deliberation in the joint working committee which was set up after Malaysia and Indonesia signed an MOU on maids,” he added.

The embassy’s Information, Social and Cultural Affairs minister counsellor Suryana Sastradiredja was quoted by a local daily yesterday as saying that the embassy had advised its government to suspend the sending of maids to Malaysia.

Suryana was also reported to have said that diplomatic channels would be used to resolve the matter and that a note would be sent to the Home Ministry today.

He said this was because the embassy had received reports that a senior government official and his wife had physically abused two maids.

Suryana was also reported to have said that diplomatic channels would be used to resolve the matter and that a note would be sent to the Home Ministry today.

Dr Subramaniam said the ministry had informed Wisma Putra of Suryana’s statement to the media.

“Let Wisma Putra contact Indonesia and see how best the issue can be handled,” he told reporters after opening the My Career Fair here yesterday.

On claims by Suryana that the victims were not paid their salaries, Dr Subramaniam said his ministry could not guarantee it would not happen.

“Incidents of not paying salaries and other accusations are bound to surface,” he said.

Attempts to seek clarification from Suryana yesterday were unsuccessful.