Jokowi’s visit: Labour violation, strengthening border relations to be addressed

Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s highly anticipated inaugural official visit to Malaysia under the Madani government is scheduled for Thursday, June 8.

The visit takes place two weeks earlier than previously discussed with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, sources reveal.

Among the issues that the republic’s embassy has consistently raised is the need for improved safety and labour violations against Indonesian citizens working in Malaysia.

It is believed the Indonesian leader will raise these two issues, among others, during his visit.

This is amid the Indonesian Embassy shelter in Kuala Lumpur consistently operating at full occupancy of 120 residents, no matter how many residents return home every month.

In addition to those seeking refuge at the embassy shelter, cases of abuse are also reported to the police directly.

The latest case of abuse was that of domestic worker Indrawati, who suffered iron burns and had hot water poured on her before she was rescued in April.

Her employers, from Jalan Hujan Emas in Brickfields, have denied the trafficking charges brought against them and pleaded not guilty to charges under Section 324 of the Penal Code for causing hurt using dangerous weapons or means. 

The trial dates for the next hearing have been scheduled for November this year pending medical and forensic reports.

As the republic’s constitution mandates the Indonesian government to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its citizens working abroad, protecting labour rights has formed the essential element of its bilateral ties with Malaysia.

The president, also known as Jokowi, has been known to raise this issue as his first point of discussion whenever he meets a Malaysian delegation.

Labour freeze

He raised it during Anwar’s inaugural visit as the Malaysian prime minister to Indonesia in January and again last month when the two leaders met during the 42nd Asean summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

A labour freeze imposed by Indonesia last year placed Malaysia-Indonesia relations at a critical juncture until a comprehensive bilateral agreement for the employment and protection of domestic workers was signed in April.

This was amid a labour crunch as industries struggled to recover from the impact of repeated movement control orders implemented to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, which started in 2020.

In a previous interview with Malaysiakini, Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, Hermono, highlighted that at least 50 percent of those seeking refuge at the shelter in Kuala Lumpur have been unjustly denied their wages, adding to the urgency of the matter.

Workers seeking refuge at the shelter were fleeing forced labour conditions, abuse, and torture.

However, the Labour Department has been slow to address the issue of recovering unpaid wages, especially if the workers were undocumented.

Strengthened border relations

Meanwhile, Jokowi’s visit, following his trip to Singapore, is also expected to culminate in the signing of two crucial maritime border agreements between the two countries.

It was reported last month that the Border Crossing Agreement (BCA) and the Border Trade Agreement (BDA) were ready to be signed.

The border crossing pact will address a list of new border entry points between the two countries following the development of Indonesia’s new capital city, Nusantara, in Kalimantan.

Specific border crossing points, their respective coverage area and the categories of residents (near the border crossing) will be highlighted in the agreement.

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