Retno Marsudi Meets Malaysian Minister to Discuss Border Issues, Migrant Worker Protection

Caption: Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi meets with Malaysian Foreign Affairs Saifuddin Abdullah, in Jakarta, Monday (23/7)(Photo by: Dit Infomed Kemlu)

Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Saifuddin Abdullah on Monday (23/7) met with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi to discuss several issues, including finalizing border negotiations, protection for Indonesian citizens and migrant workers, and efforts to fight discrimination against palm oil products.

It was the first official visit of the Malaysian Minister since taking office on 2 July this year.

For border issue, as two countries that share both land and maritime borders, two ministers consider consider that resolving border issues is of great importance and should always become a priority; thus, negotiation must be intensified so the problems can be solved one by one.

“We have agreed to give a full mandate to the negotiation technical team to intensify negotiations,” Retno said in a joint conference after the meeting.

The minister added that Indonesia and Malaysia also agree to immediately agree on the Border Crossing Agreement (BCA) in August this year. “The agreement will pave the way for the finalization of the review of the Border Trade Agreement 1970,” she said.

Regarding protection for Indonesian citizens and migrant workers in Malaysia, Retno said that the two countries have also agreed to push for the immediate finalization of the MoU on the Placement and Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers. In addition, to improve ways to protect them, Retno also hopes that measures through diplomatic channels can be optimized should there are cases that involve Indonesian citizens.

On that occasion, Retno also conveyed her appreciation for the Malaysian Government that share a similar view about the importance of providing access to education for Indonesian migrant workers’ children. “We will prioritize education for the children, including by improving access to education through the establishment of Indonesian schools and community learning centers in Malaysia,” she said.

Regarding palm oil, both ministers also agree to promote cooperation to fight against negative campaign of palm oil products.

Other issues discussed during the meeting include ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries to continue maintain ASEAN unity and centrality amidst challenges at the regional level and at the global level.  (Dit. Astara/Dit. Infomed Kemlu/ES) (/EP/Naster)