KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 —Similarities in culture, language and geographical proximity are reasons for Malaysia to remain an ideal place for Indonesians to seek employment here.
With similarities in culture and language, it is easy for Malaysians to understand why about two million Indonesians have blended with the Malay culture and have become accustomed to the way of life in Malaysia.
Indonesian Sociology Research director Khairudin Harahap said the similarities are a drawing factor for the Indonesian people, especially the low income group, to come to Malaysia in search of employment.
If they were to go to the United States or Hong Kong, it would be difficult for them to communicate in English or Chinese, he said.
“So, Malaysia is an ideal place, especially so with the tolerance level of the government and people of Malaysia, provided they abide by the rules and laws of the country and not create social problems,” said Khairudin in an exclusive interview with Bernama.
Khairudin, an Indonesian who is now a permanent resident who has lived in Malaysia for 28 years, said there are about 200,000 Indonesian maids while the rest were construction workers, plantation workers and cleaners.
Apart from the two million workers, there are also about 3,000 professionals from Indonesia working in companies like Petronas, MAS, AirAsia and banks.
He added that a number of issues involving Indonesian maids here were unavoidable considering the presence of a large number of Indonesian workers here.
“The presence of about two million Indonesians is as good as the total population of a province in Indonesia or a state in Malaysia. If all the two million lived in one state, there probably will be no problems.
“But what happens here are merely human tragedies and incidentally caused by people from a different nationality,” he said.
Since such incidents involved those from a different nationality, the incidents are hyped up by the media back home although such incidents are also common in Indonesia itself or any other country where Indonesians worked, he said.
“What we want to see is employers or individuals who abuse their workers, are hauled up and punished according to the law,” he said.
Recently Indonesia imposed a moratorium for sending workers to Malaysia and both countries are in discussions on a number of issues, including minimum wages and leave.
Seeking better relationship in areas of work force from Indonesia is expected to be the main issue of a two-way discussion during Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s visit to Malaysia on Nov 11-12.
Susilo has chosen Malaysia as the first country for his official visit on Nov 11, after being sworn in as Indonesian President for the second term (2009-2014) on Oct 20, a reception also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Among other issues expected to be discussed are those involving coastal maritime border, food safety, energy and anti-terrorism.
Khairudin deemed Susilo’s visit here as a very significant one that will reflect the cordial relationship and help improve Malaysia-Indonesian ties that stand to benefit both countries.
“If Malaysia and Indonesia strengthened their economy, culture and defence, it will be a protruding event in Asia and many countries in Asia are afraid of such a reality. As such, there are efforts by some to cause a rift between the two countries,” he said.
Khairudin said the good relationship between Indonesia-Malaysia had benefited the people of both countries on a win-win situation.
On claims that there was discrimination in the period of handing out punishment for offences involving Indonesians (fast) and Malaysians (slow), he said such issues were raised because they did not understand the laws of the country (Malaysia).
“For example, abused Nirmala Bonat’s (Indonesian maid) employer Yim Pek Ha was sentenced to 18 years jail by the court and the law allows here to appeal and that caused delays to carry out her sentence,” he said.
Yim has to fork out a huge sum of money to go through the appeal process and payment of lawyers but Indonesian workers here cannot afford that kind of money
to lawyers or appeal process, so they serve the sentence early, he said.
“I propose the Indonesian government to allocate payment for legal fees so that Indonesia workers here too can have such facilities. This is the actual situation and the procedures of law, not discrimination as claimed.
“But some people in Indonesia are narrow minded and emotional. I urge my fellow friends in Indonesia to not just look at Malaysia from Jakarta but come to Malaysia and study, analyse the situation before making any comments,” he said. — Bernama
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see whether got any abuses.
They can talk n interview my maid for as long as they want outside the gate
NOT inside private residence!!!