Malaysia Urges Indonesia to Drop Plans to Sue Local Firms

Associated Press
Friday, February 11, 2005

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has urged Indonesia not to sue Malaysian employers who failed to pay illegal migrant workers, saying the issue could be resolved amicably, news reports said Friday.

Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono complained this week that some Malaysian firms had refused to pay salaries to Indonesian workers, knowing they did not have permission to live and work in the country.

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi responded that Jakarta should take whatever legal action it thought necessary.

However, the national news agency Friday quoted Abdullah's deputy, Najib Razak, saying Indonesia should think twice before beginning legal proceedings.

"I am surprised (by their action) because they are here illegally," Bernama cited Najib as saying. "I am surprised that illegal people want to take action against their employers."

Yudhyono has vowed to raise the issue with Abdullah when he visits Malaysia next week.

Malaysian Human Resource Minister Fong Chan Onn suggested that a more practical approach could be taken to resolving individual cases.

"My advice is for them not to sue," Fong told the New Straits Times. "If the workers' plight is brought to our attention, we will talk to their employers and advise them to pay their salaries."

Malaysia and Indonesia have long tussled over illegal Indonesian migrants who travel to Malaysia seeking higher-paid jobs.

Malaysia has thrice extended an amnesty - on Indonesia's request - for illegal migrants to return home without facing punishment.

About 400,000 migrants, mostly Indonesians have so far left Malaysia but an estimated half a million remain in the country, mostly working illegally in the construction and plantation sectors.