ENDING CORRUPTION: (May 14) Malaysia made a strong statement against corruption at the fifth Developing Eight (D8) Summit in Bali, Indonesia, saying that Muslim nations will not be able to achieve their full economic potential if they do not address the problem. Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said corruption must be eradicated in the management of a country’s economy as it only benefits a few at the expense of many, disrupts the entire governmental process, undermines morality and erodes ethical behaviour.
BETTER PROTECTION: (May 14) Indonesian maids headed for Malaysia will get better protection with immediate effect following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. Under the MoU, which sees major changes to current practices, employers are required to sign personal contracts with their maids stipulating the wages agreed upon by the two parties, and the maids must sign a letter of acceptance before they can start work. The contract does not affect employers and 310,000 maids already working in Malaysia, but the document must be signed as a condition of renewal of the work permit.
