The Myanmar government's decision to stop sending foreign workers to Malaysia was inconsequential, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said Malaysia welcomes the decision, which was believed to be tit-for-tat after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's criticisms of the Myanmar government's alleged human rights abuses against the Rohingya people.

"We welcome the Myanmar government's decision to stop sending foreign workers to Malaysia, and the halt of Myanmar workers to Malaysia would not have any consequence at all," said Zahid, who is also the home minister.

He was speaking to reporters in Kajang today after officiating the 24th Indian Progressive Front (IPF) annual general meeting.

Najib had attended a solidarity rally for the Rohingya on Sunday last week. Two days later, the Myanmar Ministry of Immigration announced that the country would no longer issue licenses to its citizens seeking employment in Malaysia.

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) had said the move was "unfair and disruptive" as its members has already incurred recruitment and other expenses for workers who have yet to arrive.

However, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Hamzah Zainudin said the move would not affect Malaysia's manufacturing sector as the main source countries for foreign labour in Malaysia are Bangladesh, Indonesia and Cambodia.

Gratitude for Duterte

Meanwhile, Zahid skirted a question regarding Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's call on Malaysia and Indonesia yesterday to bomb fleeing Philippine militants along with their hostages.

When asked about the statement reported by the Associated Press yesterday, Zahid made reference to Duterte's previous statements during bilateral and multilateral meetings involving Malaysia.

In his official statements, Zahid said, Duterte regarded kidnap for ransom as crime that needs to be tackled and had given his commitment to do so.

"I am confident that President Duterte's commitments should be appreciated, and on behalf of the Royal Malaysian Police and other enforcement agencies, I would like to thank President Duterte for his commitment," he said.

Yesterday, the Associated Press quoted Duterte saying that he had told Najib and Indonesian President Joko Widodo to bomb fleeing kidnappers along with their hostages.

"Bomb them. If they cannot be captured you bomb them.

"How about the hostages? Eh, bomb them also. They're not supposed to be there, there is a warning,” he was quoted as saying.