VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin deliver a joint statement at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Friday (5/2/2021). ANTARA/Presidential Press Bureau/Lukas.

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, during his official visit to Indonesia, has made assurance of offering protection to Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia.

"The Kingdom of Malaysia will continue to cooperate with the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to ensure that the recruitment and protection of Indonesian migrant workers are based on the law," the prime minister noted at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday, during a press conference with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

"Malaysia believes that the ongoing discussions related to the protection of Indonesian domestic workers can be in line with the laws of the two countries. Hence, they can agree on an MoU (memorandum of understanding)," he remarked.

PM Yassin also lauded President Jokowi for facilitating the return of Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia, who had arrived and worked through illegal channels. The Indonesian migrant laborers were returned in keeping with the framework of the recalibration program for unauthorized foreigners (PATI), who will return to Indonesia or work again in Malaysia.

The recalibration program was implemented from November 16, 2020, to June 30, 2021, by the Malaysian Immigrants Offices (JIM)/Malaysian Peninsular Manpower Office (JTKSM).

The return recalibration program opens up opportunities for migrant workers, who exceed the residence permit limit to return to their country of origin in accordance with the stipulated conditions.

The Malaysian PM explained that the labor recalibration program opens up opportunities for migrant workers, who exceed the residence permit limit, to be reinstated with a valid residence permit."I have also urged the president for cooperation to ensure that Indonesian citizens keen on working in Malaysia can enter that country through legal channels," he stated.

In connection with the Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) also expressed his gratitude to the Malaysian government.

"I express my gratitude for the cooperation in protecting Indonesian citizens in Malaysia, especially during the pandemic. I am again entrusting Indonesian citizens in Malaysia to the Malaysian government," President Jokowi remarked.

Furthermore, regarding the protection of Indonesian migrant workers, President Jokowi stressed the importance of completing the MoU on the placement and protection of Indonesian domestic workers in Malaysia//ANT