KUALA LUMPUR: The Indonesian workforce and professionals are not merely contributors to the economy but also important regional assets in driving innovation and connecting the two countries, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president said he was optimistic that a meeting between MCA leaders and Indonesia’s Minister for the Protection of Migrant Workers (P2MI), Mukhtarudin, on Wednesday (May 21) at the party headquarters would pave the way for a new chapter in regional socio-economic cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia.
“We are highly optimistic that today’s historic meeting will open a new chapter in regional socio-economic cooperation, ultimately bringing long-term prosperity, harmony and well-being to the people of both countries,” he posted on social media on Thursday (May 21).
Dr Wee said MCA was open to establishing strategic cooperation through its network of educational institutions, including Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, VTAR Institute and UTAR Hospital.
He added that MCA was prepared to act as a facilitator between the local business community and Indonesia’s Ministry for the Protection of Migrant Workers to ensure Indonesian workers in Malaysia continue to receive protection, fair treatment and access to conducive working environments, particularly in high-value industries.
During the meeting, Mukhtarudin said his ministry was focusing on the fields of medicine, healthcare and nursing, and hoped for support from MCA and its affiliated organisations in providing employment opportunities for Indonesians, including in professional sectors.
Among the Indonesian delegates present were Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia Raden Datuk Mohammad Iman Hascarya Kusumo, director-general of Promotion and Utilisation of Overseas Employment Opportunities at the Ministry of P2MI Dwi Setiawan Susanto, director-general of Placement at the Ministry of P2MI Ahnas, special staff to the minister Fajar Massadiah and Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuala Lumpur protocol and consular affairs coordinator Octavin Dewi Zulaicha.
Also present were MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, MCA vice-presidents Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng, Datuk Wira Lim Ban Hong, Datuk Ir Lawrence Low and Datuk Tan Teik Cheng.
Others in attendance included UTAR pro-chancellor Tan Sri Wong See Wah, Star Media Group Berhad chairman Tan Sri Wong Foon Meng, Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCIM) deputy president Datuk Looi Hei Tyng, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Association of Malaysia president Datuk William Ng and national vice-president Anpananthan K.
