How to Tackle Malaysia's Plot to Indonesia

PONTIANAK, KOMPAS.com - West Kalimantan Cooperation and  Border Development Centre (BPPK) observed Malaysia's plot to undermine Indonesia's economy. Its purpose is to maintain its exploitation on low paid Indonesian workers  in absence of job opportunities in Indonesia.

Chief of West Kalimantan BPPK Robert Nusanto said the plot could be seen from provocative actions of Malaysia border securities in several cases including the ones in West Kalimantan. "Provocative actions could be clearly seen over the arrest of three Indonesian maritime officers. In West Kalimantan, illegal loggings and abuse over Indonesian workers could be taken as examples," said Robert.

Robert revealed that the provocative actions are to get Indonesia busy with them so the country has the lapse time to think about how to develop its economy. "If we can develop our economy, Malaysia is under threat of lacking foreign workers as many of them from Indonesia will go back and work in their country," said Robert.

Robert retrieved his memory of holding his previous position as chief of Labor Section in Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan. "Almost every weekend at that time I dealt with Indonesian workers fleeing across border without carrying anything except their clothes because they were chased by Malaysian police."

He found out that the workers were illegal to enter Malaysia contrasting the fact they were hired by Malaysian companies. The illegal status was used by the companies to exploit them. Employers called police

"Entering Malaysia dan starting to work, they were paid half of the salaries promised by their employers. After their contracts met the deadline, the rest of their salaries would not be fully paid and they just got transportation fares to go back home instead. However, one month before their contracts ended, the employers called police to report that there were illegal workers in their areas. Before being arrested, of course, the workers chose to run away," said Robert.

Ironically, since Indonesia Government put on hold sending informal Indonesian domestic workers to Malaysia on June 25, 2009, the number of illegal Indonesian workers in Malaysia kept increasing.  Chairman of the Indonesian migrant workers businesss association Yunus M Yamani stated that government has failed to put on hold sending Indonesian workers to Malaysia. (AHA/HAM)