Dont issue ultimatums, Indon labour minister tells Msia
Pauline PuahPublished: Mar 9, 2005 9:45 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
Malaysia should not issue ultimatums regarding Indonesian migrant workers when it has also contributed to the problem, said Indonesian Labour and Transmigration Minister Fahmi Idris today.
Malaysia should not issue ultimatums regarding Indonesian migrant workers when it has also contributed to the problem, said Indonesian Labour and Transmigration Minister Fahmi Idris today.
"I think it's too much to issue that warning. It's not necessary. I can easily issue a warning as well. Let's discuss this in a friendly manner," he added when contacted.
He was reacting to the ultimatum issued by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Home Minister Azmi Khalid for Indonesian workers to return and work here legally.
Failing which, they said, Malaysia will procure workers from other countries.
On the problems, Fahmi claimed that the biometric system equipment and medical check-up facilities the Malaysian government agreed to provide at the 11 one-roof centres in Indonesia have yet to be implemented.
The one-roof centres were set-up to process the documents of those returning during the amnesty period imposed by the Malaysian government.
"So many problems come from the Malaysian side. How can Azmi and Najib give such warnings? Please don't give warnings as I see both of them as friends. Let's talk like friends, not enemies," he said.
According to Azmi, when he announced the ultimatum on Monday, the Indonesian minister was informed of it when the duo met in Jakarta two days before.
Asked if he had raised any objection to it during the meeting, Fahmi replied: "I am telling them (about my objection) through you."
Document processing fee
In a related development, the minister confirmed that the document processing fee will be reduced by 50 percent from 2.90 million rupiah (RM1,200) to 1.5 million (RM610)or 1.6 million rupiah (RM650).
He explained that those who choose to return to Malaysia by air will have to pay 1.6 million rupiah whereas those returning by sea or land, will have to fork out 1.5 million rupiah.
He said those who already possess a passport will get a further deduction of 120,000 rupiah.
"Unless they have to renew or get a new passport. Otherwise, they don't have to pay the extra 120,000 rupiah," he added.
The high fee imposed for processing documents has been blamed for the delay of the workers' return.
Malaysia relies heavily on migrant workers especially Indonesians to work in construction sites, plantations and as domestic helpers.
The concerned industries have cried foul over the shortage of workers which has led to losses amounting to hundreds of millions.
"I think it's too much to issue that warning. It's not necessary. I can easily issue a warning as well. Let's discuss this in a friendly manner," he added when contacted. He was reacting to the ultimatum issued by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Home Minister Azmi Khalid for Indonesian workers to return and work here legally.
Failing which, they said, Malaysia will procure workers from other countries.
On the problems, Fahmi claimed that the biometric system equipment and medical check-up facilities the Malaysian government agreed to provide at the 11 one-roof centres in Indonesia have yet to be implemented.
The one-roof centres were set-up to process the documents of those returning during the amnesty period imposed by the Malaysian government.
"So many problems come from the Malaysian side. How can Azmi and Najib give such warnings? Please don't give warnings as I see both of them as friends. Let's talk like friends, not enemies," he said.
According to Azmi, when he announced the ultimatum on Monday, the Indonesian minister was informed of it when the duo met in Jakarta two days before. Asked if he had raised any objection to it during the meeting, Fahmi replied: "I am telling them (about my objection) through you."
Document processing fee
In a related development, the minister confirmed that the document processing fee will be reduced by 50 percent from 2.90 million rupiah (RM1,200) to 1.5 million (RM610)or 1.6 million rupiah (RM650).
He explained that those who choose to return to Malaysia by air will have to pay 1.6 million rupiah whereas those returning by sea or land, will have to fork out 1.5 million rupiah.
He said those who already possess a passport will get a further deduction of 120,000 rupiah.
"Unless they have to renew or get a new passport. Otherwise, they don't have to pay the extra 120,000 rupiah," he added.
The high fee imposed for processing documents has been blamed for the delay of the workers' return.
Malaysia relies heavily on migrant workers especially Indonesians to work in construction sites, plantations and as domestic helpers.
The concerned industries have cried foul over the shortage of workers which has led to losses amounting to hundreds of millions.
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