President Jokowi, Malaysian PM Reach Agreements on Indonesian Workers Protection, State Borders Opening

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 10 November 2021
Category: News
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President Jokowi and Malaysian PM Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yakoob during joint press statement at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province, on Wednesday afternoon (10/11). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat YouTube Channel)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called for the strengthening of Indonesia-Malaysia cooperation based on principles of mutually respectful and beneficial relations.

“As close neighboring countries and nations with the same root, we have to strengthen our cooperation based on principles of mutually respectful and beneficial relations,” President Jokowi said during joint press statement with Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yakoob after a bilateral meeting at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province, on Wednesday afternoon (10/11).

In the meeting, both Heads of State discussed various strategic issues, among others, namely the importance of cooperation for the protection of Indonesian citizens who are in Malaysia.

“I encourage to immediately finalize the Memorandum of Understanding on the protection of Indonesian domestic workers. Also, the permission for Community Learning Center in the Peninsula is hopefully granted in accordance with the principle of rights of education for all,” the President said.

The President also emphasized that Indonesia would like to conclude the negotiation on state borders with Malaysia, be it land borders or sea borders.

“Since the process has taken so long, we hope that this issue can be resolved in a very short time,” he said.

The Head of State also paid attention to post-pandemic economic recovery. He appreciated the rise in trade figure that reached 49 percent in January-August 2021 compared to that in the same period last year.

“In a bid to support economic recovery efforts, we have also agreed on the establishment of Travel Corridor Arrangement that will be opened one by one gradually,” the President added.

On the same occasion, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yakoob appreciated the warm welcome extended by Indonesian Government during his first visit to Indonesia amid COVID-19 pandemic situation.

“I am very pleased with a warm welcome extended by Bapak President and the Government of Indonesia to me and my delegation,” Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yakoob expressed.

Malaysian Prime Minister said that he gave assurance on the welfare of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia by introducing amendment of Minimum Standard Act of Housing, Lodging, and Ease for Workers 1990 (Act 446) which has been approved by Malaysian Parliament.

“I assure that the welfare of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia will be maintained as good as possible, and some changes have been made in Malaysia,” he imbued.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yakoob said that Indonesia and Malaysia have reached an agreement to immediately open international borders of both states.

“Today, Bapak President and I have reached an agreement, so that Malaysia and Indonesia can establish a travel corridor between the two countries through Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA) or Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL),” Malaysian Prime Minister said.

In the bilateral meeting, the leaders of both countries also discussed issues in the region, such as those related to Myanmar, South China Sea, and so forth.

“We also agree that all issues related to South China Sea should be resolved in a diplomatic manner and by upholding international laws, especially UNCLOS, the international laws related to sea, including South China Sea,” Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yakoob said.

During his visit to Indonesia, Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yakoob was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Saifuddin Abdullah and Minister of Finance Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

Meanwile, accompanying President Jokowi in the meeting were Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Makarim, and Minister of State Secretariat Pratikno. (TGH/FID/AIT/SLN) (AW/MUR)

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