Indonesia cites migrant protection, border treaties as diplomacy focus

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi today highlighted better protection of Indonesian migrant workers here and resolution of border disputes with Malaysia as being among the diplomatic successes achieved under President Joko Widodo’s two-term administration.

In her annual ministerial address, delivered live from Gedung Merdeka, Bandung, she cited agreements reached or negotiated with the Malaysian government under two focus areas - protection of Indonesians abroad and enforcement of the Republic's sovereignty.

Among others, Retno highlighted Indonesia's success in negotiating enforcement of the One Channel System for recruitment and placement of Indonesian domestic workers here, as well as in Saudi Arabia.

"Diplomacy on the protection of Indonesians abroad is conducted at all levels.

"At the bilateral level, memorandums of understanding signed with another country to maximise protection, among others, on the One Channel System with Malaysia and Arab Saudi," she said.

Malaysia is host to the largest number of Indonesian diaspora abroad, numbering over one million from a global estimate of over eight million, including migrant workers, domestic workers, professionals and students.

Malaysia and Indonesia inked a memorandum of understanding on the employment and protection of Indonesian domestic workers on April 1, 2022, concluding negotiations which started when the previous agreement expired in 2016.

Retno was appointed as foreign minister in 2014 and Joko, better known as Jokowi, is set to step down and dissolve his cabinet this year as Indonesia prepares to go to polls.

"In the last nine years, the issue of protection is consistently placed as a priority for our foreign politics,” she said.

During the period, Retno said the government through its foreign missions had resolved 218,313 cases involving their citizens abroad, including migrant workers cheated of their rights.

“More than one trillion Rupiah (RM295 million) in financial rights owed to Indonesian workers were returned (to them),” she said.

Domestic workers in Malaysia are exempted from protections under the Employment Act 1955, and among high-profile reported cases of exploitation included one worker denied 12 years of wages amounting to RM106,000.

'No compromise on sovereignty’

Meanwhile, Retno said Indonesia aims to conclude 24 years of negotiations on three areas along the borders of North Kalimantan and Sabah with Outstanding Boundary Problems - OBP Pulau Sebatik, OBP Sungai Sinapad-Sesai and a new West Pillar on Pulau Sebatik to AA2 Pillar.

“Respecting the sovereignty and integrity of another country’s territory is a principle which must be respected by all countries, with no exception.

“It is a diplomatic duty to protect Indonesia’s territory, including on international forums,” she said.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed diplomatic ties with Indonesia with his move to choose Jakarta as his first official visit in January last year.

Jokowi returned Anwar’s visit last June, and together with Retno as part of the official delegation, signed the Sulawesi Sea Treaty after almost two decades of negotiations on maritime boundary delimitation.

PM committed to protecting rights of Indonesian migrant workers in M'sia

Indonesia considering joining BRICS, says Jokowi

Jokowi thanks 'brother' Anwar for commitment on labour issues

PM: Malaysia-Indonesia in 'one voice' to protect palm oil

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

Indonesia announces temporary freeze on migrant workers for M'sia