Next year, Kalla said, domestic workers going to Malaysia would be temporarily stopped.
Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Malaysian Prime Minister Mohamad Najib have discussed Indonesian migrant workers problems and the issue of the arrest of Malaysian fishermen.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN here on Wednesday.

"Indeed, there are several issues that are being discussed, including the problems faced by the Indonesian community in Malaysia and our plan to reduce the number of workers, especially house maids, going to Malaysia. Other issues were related to border and fishermen. We also discussed the matter of schools and or how to establish Indonesian schools in Serawak," Kalla said after the meeting .

Regarding the plan to reduce the number of workers next year, he reminded that he had already made that clear about two or three years ago. Next year, Kalla added, domestic workers going to Malaysia would be temporarily stopped.

"We will only send professional workers who are well trained so that they can work as household assistants, drawing better pay and a more formal status rather than remain informal laborers or undocumented (illegal) ones," he emphasized.

He observed that it is actually the Malaysian citizens who would determine whether the Indonesian migrant workers worked legally or illegally.

"In Malaysia, the regulation is implemented strictly. Those found employing undocumented workers would be punished. Also, such workers would be punished as well," he stressed.

Kalla informed that during the meeting with the Malaysian prime minister, he had also discussed the case of Malaysian fishermen who were arrested last month for entering the Indonesian waters illegally.

In this connection, Malaysia has sought their release. In exchange, Malaysia will extradite two Indonesian police officers arrested in Kuching for allegedly misusing narcotic drugs in 2014.

"He (PM Najib) has asked for a cordial settlement of such problems. Well, we will settle them in a friendly spirit," Kallas assured while responding to the offer.

Regarding exports and imports, both Indonesia and Malaysia saw these declining as both countries produce same commodities, including palm oil and rubber.

"But we also export medical herbs, cosmetics and garments while Malaysia exports electronic components to Indonesia," Kalla stated. He was accompanied by Education Minister Anis Baswedan and Indonesias Ambassador to Malaysia, Herman Prayitno.

With regard to tourism, Indonesia has so far been receiving more visitors from Malaysia who visit Bandung, Jakarta and Batam.

" Right now, we have Garuda, Lion, Air Asia and others. Perhaps, special air transportation service would be needed to facilitate more tourism," he argued.

The WEF on ASEAN 2016 in Kuala Lumpur being held from June 1-2 was also attended by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Timor Leste Prime Minister Araujo and Vietnams Deputy Prime Minister Dinh Dong.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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