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Malaysia Guarantees No Problems over Repatriation of Indonesian Illegal Workers
Wednesday, 04 August, 2004 | 21:35 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Malaysian government has guaranteed that there would be no serious problems as regards the repatriation of Indonesian illegal workers from Malaysia.

”We will not be in a rush and we will carry out every measure according to the prevailing procedures,” Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Syeh Hamid Albar told the Tempo News Room through his cellular phone on Monday (02/08).

Albar added that the decision to repatriate these illegal workers was not taken under any political consideration.

He added that the repatriation of Indonesian illegal workers from Malaysia came as a routine activity.

Mohammad Khamde bin Tukiman, the Attaché for Immigration, Manpower and Consulate Affairs at the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, said that the Malaysian government had worked hard to anticipate the repatriation process of Indonesian illegal workers from Malaysia.

Around six shelter units have been prepared to accommodate the workers before they are sent back to Indonesia.

“We are preparing lodging, food, drinks and transportation,” said Khamde.

According to Khamde, the Malaysian government has decreased the fee of work visa arrangement from 445 Malaysian ringgit to 430 ringgit to lessen the burden for Indonesian workers.

He added that this regulation had been in force since June 15, and that the time required to arrange a visa was about four days.

The Malaysian Department of Health also planned to send two team of doctors, each consisting three people, to Indonesia in order to visit 40 Indonesian hospitals.

These hospitals have requested accreditation from the Malaysian government to examine the health of Indonesian workers who wish to work in Malaysia.

Khamde said that this team would visit Indonesia in between August 10 and 20.

“Choosing the local hospitals will hopefully lessen Indonesian workers’ costs for health examinations,” he added. (Faisal - Tempo News Room)