The bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Muhyiddin ran well, in an open and comprehensive manner
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo and visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin discussed the placement and protection of Indonesian migrant workers employed in the neighboring country during a bilateral meeting at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Friday.

Widodo expressed gratitude to Malaysia for the protection of Indonesian citizens and migrant workers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Muhyiddin ran well, in an open and comprehensive manner. I lauded (him) for the protection of Indonesian citizens in Malaysia, especially during the pandemic. I once again entrust the protection of Indonesian citizens to Malaysia," the president remarked following the bilateral meeting.

Speaking in connection with the protection of Indonesian migrant workers, Widodo highlighted the importance of the two nations accomplishing a new memorandum of understanding on the placement and protection of Indonesian domestic workers in Malaysia.

The Indonesian president also highlighted the need for both nations to create a one channel system to ensure better placement of workers and prevent them from falling prey to human trafficking.

In return, Yassin praised the Indonesian president for helping to facilitate the procedure of deporting Indonesian migrant workers employed illegally in Malaysia.

The Malaysian prime minister expressed optimism that the Indonesian representative in Malaysia would recalibrate, legalize, or provide amnesty for the repatriation of illegal migrant workers that will last until June 2021.

Yassin further urged Widodo to boost efforts to ensure that Indonesian citizens keen on working and running businesses in Malaysia would go through a formal channel.

He spoke of the two countries soon inking a memorandum of understanding on the protection of Indonesian domestic workers in Malaysia in accordance with the manpower law of the two countries.

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Translator: Rangga Pandu AJ/Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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