The inking of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Malaysia-Indonesia, on the recruitment of maids, has been postponed.

Human Resource Minister S Subramaniam said the MoU that was supposed to be signed this month would be delayed since both parties have yet to reach an agreement on certain issues, especially the structure of agents' fees.

While waiting for the issues to be resolved, the ministry would look at recruiting maids from southern Thailand and Mindanao, Philippines since both areas have a majority Muslims population, he told reporters after visiting MIC's Taman Wahyu Social Service Centre in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He said it was time for Malaysia to look for alternative countries to source for maids rather than depending on Indonesia.

Last month, Subramaniam said that the MoU between Malaysia and Indonesia on recruitment of maids was expected to be signed in a month's time (July), so that the freeze on Indonesia maids could be lifted.

Indonesia freezed its supply of maids to Malaysia in June 2009, following a number of maid abuse cases and the lack of benefits, including a minimum monthly salary and request for a day off in a week.

Last month, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta signed a letter of intent to give a new dimension to the employment of domestic workers in Malaysia and the two countries had agreed on revised terms.

- Bernama