TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jokowi Brings Up MoU on Migrant Workers Protection to Mahathir

Friday, June 29, 2018.

TEMPO.CO, Bogor - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has appealed to the Malaysian government to protect Indonesian migrant workers (TKI) in Malaysia during a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at the Bogor Presidential palace on Friday, June 29.

“We have also asked to protect Indonesian workers in Malaysia,” Jokowi told a press conference with Mahathir at the Bogor Palace today.

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said Jokowi mentioned in the talks the MoU on TKI protection between both countries expired on 2016.

According to Retno, there should be further negotiations instead of an extension, considering that the MoU has ended since 2016. “Since then, many talks have occurred, but now we urge to quicken them,” she said.

Read: Govt to Hold Dialogues with Malaysia to Stop Workers Abuse

Both countries will likely face difficulties in dealing with TKI issues in the future in the absence of a new MoU. “Thus, we call for the immediate conclusion of negotiations on TKI placement and protection," Retno added.

Aside from the TKI protection issues, Jokowi and Mahathir also discussed the rights for education for TKI's children in Malaysia, to which the Malaysian government responded openly, Retno said.

Retno explained Indonesia had opened many community learning centers (CLC) in the neighboring country. As many as 50 CLCs have been established during the past six months.

Meanwhile, Mahathir Mohamad said his government was aware of the facts that lots of Indonesian citizens resided in Malaysia. “Some are legal and illegal migrants. But we know they legally came with their children and the children have rights for education,” he said.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI