Meeting The Chairman Of The Malaysian House Of Representatives, Puan Brings Issues Of Protection Of Indonesian Citizens And Migrant Workers

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani (Dok DPR Photo)

JAKARTA - The chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, held a bilateral meeting with the Chairman of the Malaysian People's Council, Dato Johari Bin Abdul in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During the meeting, Puan brought the issue of protecting Indonesian citizens and encouraged the community Learning Center (CLC) to increase the number of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI).

"Protecting all Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Malaysia, including workers and students, is also an issue of my concern," said Puan when meeting Dato Johari Bin Abdul at the Malaysian Parliament Building, Monday, October 2.

According to data from the Director General of Immigration, around 2 million PMIs are Procedural and unprocedural in Malaysian territory. Not a few Indonesian workers also experience exploitation, gain physical immunity to sexual violence while working in the neighboring country.

Puan hopes that the Malaysian parliamentary leadership will pay more attention to PMI considering the many cases that have harmed PMI so far.

"I hope that under His Majesty's leadership as Chairman of the People's Council, Malaysia can give full attention and protection to Indonesian Citizens and Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in Malaysia," said Puan.

On that occasion, Puan also mentioned the importance of strengthening relations between Indonesians and Malaysia which can be done with various programs. One of them is with education programs for the two countries.

"I also encourage the number of Community Learning Centers (CLC) in Malaysia in order to facilitate access to education for children of Malaysian Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI)," said Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture said that education is one sector that can strengthen public relations to two countries. Puan hopes that there will be additional cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia in the education sector.

"In this case, it is important for us, together, exploring and encouraging cooperation in the field of education for the future of our young generation," he said.

Moreover, the total number of Indonesian students in Malaysia is more than 10,000 people, while Malaysian students in Indonesia are at least 2,800 people.

Apart from education, Puan encourages an increase in economic cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia. He said Malaysia was one of Indonesia's crucial trading and investment partners. Economic work is expected to encourage the two countries to further strengthen cooperation in the fields of trade and investment.

The trade value between the two countries rose 30.37 percent to USD 27.9 billion in 2022 from the previous year. In addition, Malaysia is ranked 5th as Indonesia's export destination.

"It should be remembered that trade and investment are sectors that can have a real impact on the people. This has always been a priority for me as Chairman of the DPR RI," explained Puan.

Some of Indonesia-Malaysia investment and trade cooperation is currently underway, such as the Border Trade Agreement (BTA) and Border Crossing Agreement (BCA). Then there is also cooperation for halal products and efforts to normalize cross-border trade in Nunukan-Tawau and the Tebedu-Entikong border.

On the other hand, Puan also conveyed the importance of cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia in the maritime sector, especially because the two countries are neighbors and surrounded by the sea. Such as eradicating illegal fishing and delimitation of maritime boundaries and land boundaries.

"In addition, I also support the efforts to finalize the agreement regarding Maritime delimitation in the Sulawesi Sea segment and the Malacca Strait. I will also ensure that the DPR RI, through its supervisory function, will continue to monitor the progress of the instrument," said Puan.

Puan also encouraged cooperation between the Parliaments of the two countries so that they could play a role in advancing Indonesia's relations with Malaysia. For example, it can be shown in international and regional forums to support each other.

The closeness of strong relations between the two Parliaments itself is shown by the frequent exchange of dialogue in various parliamentary forums, such as the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) and also the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

Regarding the results of the resolution at the 44th AIPA General Assembly which was held in Jakarta some time ago, Puan invited the Malaysian Parliament together with the DPR to fight for the resolution of the crisis in Myanmar in line with what was agreed by the Parliament forum throughout Southeast Asia.

"I believe that if the cooperation between parliaments between the two countries is strong, we can help the government to solve the various challenges faced by the two countries," said Bung Karno's grandson.

"This includes through the 45th AIPA General Assembly in 2024 in Laos. Peace and Security of the Region is our common responsibility," added Puan.

Puan then touched on the role of Indonesia and Malaysia as fellow ASEAN founders. He emphasized the importance of Indonesia's relations with Malaysia as an anchor in creating peace and security stability in the region.

For this reason, Puan hopes that the two countries can manage various problems faced through bilateral mechanisms and forums.

"Although sometimes there are problems in bilateral relations, Indonesia and Malaysia are able to manage various problems that arise through various bilateral mechanisms," he said.

"I hope that in the future relations between Indonesia and Malaysia will continue to strengthen based on the spirit of mutual respect," concluded Puan.