INTERVIEW | The governments of Indonesia and Malaysia must work together to push for a more transparent labour recruitment and placement system between the two countries.

Indonesian Solidarity Party chairperson Grace Natalie said this was as issues surrounding Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia had at times, strained ties between the two countries.

"Now we can see the situation is cool but maybe in future, it could suddenly heat up again.

"This is a complex issue and the problem lies with both parties, Malaysia and Indonesia," said Grace in an interview with Malaysiakini in Kuala Lumpur.

On the part of Indonesia, Grace admitted that the problem lies with some of its workforces who may be recruited through a less than ideal condition - without proper documentation and without undergoing the necessary training to be employed based on their job description.

On the other hand, she pointed out that it was also common to hear reports of Indonesian migrant workers here being cheated by their agents or made to work in other sectors than what they were initially promised before departure.

"There is no transparency in the recruitment and placement process. And we know when there is no transparency, many people can take advantage of the system.

"So what must be done is for the whole process to be opened up. Once it is opened, then more people can monitor it and so there will be less room for any hanky-panky," she argued.

"So what happened (between Malaysia and Indonesia) in the past are 'minor explosions' that will continue to happen unless the root cause of the problem is resolved," she said in reference to heightened tension which often followed news reports of abuse against Indonesian domestic helpers in Malaysia.

Among others, it was reported in February that 26-year-old Adelina Lisao, a domestic helper from Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia, had died while receiving treatment at the Bukit Mertajam Hospital.

Her death was allegedly due to multiple organ failure caused by physical abuse by her employer (in photo above).

Commenting further, Grace said that her party was not out to pin the blame on any quarters but would rather push for an overall improvement of the labour recruitment and placement system.

"The root of it is that there must be transparency in the process, followed by how their rights will be protected," said Grace whose party was founded in 2014 on the platform of human rights, pluralism and anti-corruption.

Her party colleague, Dara A Kesuma Nasution also echoed the view that such abuse reported cases could trigger a negative sentiment among Indonesians against Malaysians.

But at the same time, the party's central committee member also reassured that such sentiments were only temporary and directed towards perpetrators of the alleged abuses.

"We don't see any overall prejudice (against Malaysians) but more towards a case by case basis.

"And after all, Malaysia and Indonesia have a long-standing mutually beneficial relationship," said the 22-year-old who is set to make her political debut as a candidate in the Republic's legislative elections next year.

Commenting on Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's ongoing official visit to Jakarta, Dara said the inaugural meeting with Indonesia's President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo today could be a good start to strengthen ties between the two countries.

At a joint press conference with Jokowi in Jakarta today, the two leaders had addressed the issue of Indonesians who came to work in Malaysia, including those who eventually found themselves becoming undocumented and subjected to various immigration crackdowns.

Among others, Mahathir said Malaysia would be looking at possibilities of setting-up schools that are open for enrolment to Indonesian children, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.