Indonesia To Blacklist M'sians Who Have A History Of Abusing Their Workers
This step is being taken to safeguard Indonesia’s national dignity in response to a recent acquittal of a couple, who refused to pay the salary to their domestic helper of seven years.
The Indonesian embassy said they are in process of banning five Malaysians from entering its country over the alleged maltreatment of their citizens working in Malaysia
According to New Straits Times, Indonesian ambassador Hermono said the embassy will urge the Indonesian authorities to blacklist these individuals.
He stated that this step was taken to safeguard Indonesia’s national dignity in response to the acquittal of Radzuan Abu Hadzim and his wife Rosnajihah Ramli on human trafficking charges on 9 December.
They allegedly denied hiring an Indonesian domestic helper named Yati Karyati seven years ago and refused to pay her salary, which sums up to RM84,000 in total.
The couple was acquitted of trafficking charges under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007/22 (ATIPSOM).
Hermono said Indonesia will continue its policy of barring abusive employers from entering the country if they don't pay the salary they owe to their employees
"Banning foreign citizens from entering our territory means that they are not welcome in our country, which is a common policy," he said.
"Many Indonesians are also banned from entering Malaysia because they worked illegally in Malaysia, and we don't object to this policy as it is the country's sovereign right."
Hermono believes that, just like any other country, they have the right to protect their citizens and interests.
"We can't intervene in the legal process in Malaysia, as court proceedings are independent. However, if we believe that court verdict did not provide justice to our citizens, then we are obliged to respond to it per our laws and regulations," he added.
According to him, the issue has to be addressed, considering how Malaysia and Indonesia need to maintain brotherly ties in their bilateral relations
"However, we also have to acknowledge that there are pressing issues that need to be addressed, based on mutual respect, and one of them is the migrant (worker) issue," he added, as mentioned in a recent conversation between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and President Joko Widodo.
"Once again, we are open for discussion to find a solution so that it would not escalate to a level that may affect our good and brotherly relations."
Here are other times domestic workers had come face to face with abuse and danger while working in Malaysia:
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