Malaysia's ambassador to meet Indonesian minister over maid ban

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim will meet the Indonesian Manpower and Transmigration Minister over a proposal by Indonesia to ban its maids from coming here.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid said he had contacted Zahrain over the matter and had asked the latter to convey four points to the Indonesian minister, Muhammad Hanif Dhakiri.

"The first is that abuse cases which have occurred are isolated; the second is that the Malaysian Government and its enforcement authorities will never protect or cover up any abuse cases, not just involving maids but all foreign workers here.

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"Third, we ask that the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between both countries which expired in 2016 be updated and that further negotiations must be carried out between both countries.

"Fourth, I asked Zahrain to convey that the commitment of the Malaysian Government to continue working with Indonesia must be accepted with an open heart because we need each other," said Dr Ahmad Zahid, adding that Malaysia hoped to achieve a win-win outcome with Indonesia on the matter.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said this at a media conference following the launch of the International Exhibition on National Security for Asia (Natsec) 2018 which will be held here from April 16-19.

The exhibition, which will showcase products and services related to national security, is organised by DSA Exhibition and Conference Sdn Bhd.

It is hosted, supported and co-organised by the Home Ministry, the Defence Ministry, the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysia Police.