Resolve labour discord with Indonesia at once, ministries told

KUALA LUMPUR: The Indonesian foreign labour standoff needs to be resolved as soon as possible to avoid further disputes, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Prime Minister said he had instructed the Human Resources and Home Ministries to settle the matter with Indonesia before it escalates.

“I have told the Human Resources Minister and the Home Minister to resolve this issue immediately.

“I do not want this matter to be prolonged as I am worried it could affect our relationship with Indonesia,” said Ismail Sabri the Home Ownership Programme (Hope) and Karnival Jom Beli Rumah launch here yesterday.

Ismail Sabri was commenting on the statement by Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Hermono on Wednesday about the republic’s temporary halt to taking new job orders from Malaysia for all sectors due to issues pertaining to the Sistem Maid Online (SMO).

Hermono said those approved earlier could proceed.

SMO is a system under the Immigration Department that enables the conversion of tourist visas of nationals from several countries, including Indonesia, into work permits.

The system was slated to be replaced by the One Channel System (OCS) as agreed to by both the Indonesian and Malaysian governments through the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the Employment and Protection of Indonesian Domestic Workers (MOU PDI) in April.