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Only Maturity Will Solve Malaysia Issues
August 27, 2010

Some lawmakers are saying that the current passionate protests against Malaysia stem not only from the recent arrests of three Indonesian maritime officers.Rather, they say the incident might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back, unleashing accumulated resentment against Malaysia resulting from various incidents in the past. (Reuters Photo/Supri) Some lawmakers are saying that the current passionate protests against Malaysia stem not only from the recent arrests of three Indonesian maritime officers.Rather, they say the incident might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back, unleashing accumulated resentment against Malaysia resulting from various incidents in the past. (Reuters Photo/Supri)
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mizani
11:08pm Aug 30, 2010

You spend all the energy to ask Malaysia to improve the treatment of foreign workers. Well, in the end maybe there will be improved laws and regulations in Malaysia. How about in Indonesia ? Stop trying so much to ask others to improve. Improve ourself first.


sirlance
11:00am Aug 30, 2010

"We cannot help but feel that in Malaysian eyes, all Indonesians are viewed as maids and plantation workers."

This is generalization to the highest degree and irresponsible reporting by JG columnist.

It is sad that if Indonesian do feel like that. It shows low self esteem and the root coause must have been lack off education and poor living standards (in my opinion at least).

I don't believe all Malaysia think and see all Indonesian as maids and plantation worker. It would be silly to assume so..

sirlance
9:19am Aug 30, 2010

@peaceman spot on. Respect need to earn.

"For its part, Malaysia must show more respect to Indonesia, especially in the treatment of migrant workers. We cannot help but feel that in Malaysian eyes, all Indonesians are viewed as maids and plantation workers. "

The author should have known better and reword..

While Indonesia can demand that Kuala Lumpur to show greater commitment to prosecuting employer who mistreat Indonesian worker.. (honestly, Malaysia do.. have you guys heard of an employer that are sentenced to death for murdering Indonesian worker... surely this didn't get much coverage even in JG).. Indonesia also need to do the same by managing their immigration and people movement better.. Better training for their TKI before sending them to work oversea will definitely help as well especially in securing better paying jobs and better work conditions..


peaceman
12:49pm Aug 27, 2010

Good points. I reckon Indonesia should solve internal problems first and excel in law, economy, education and technology to earn respect from Malaysia and stop it from harassing Indonesia. Look at Singapore. Malaysia is too scared to harass Singapore because they know that they are inferior to this tiny yet powerful country.


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When a nation’s sense of pride and self-respect gets trampled, emotions can run high. That has been evident this week as the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta has attracted protests by various groups.

While we can empathize with the emotions of those who feel the nation’s pride has been hurt by the treatment of Indonesians in Malaysia, we do not condone the actions of groups who have thrown feces at the embassy.

This only casts Indonesia in a bad light and hurts the nation’s reputation.

There is no denying, however, that both sides need to sit down together and resolve the issues that have given rise to heightened tensions.

Talks are planned for Sept. 6, and they can’t come soon enough; the sooner diplomats from both sides talk, the better.

The fact that both governments have realized the mutual problems — disputed border areas and the ill-treatment of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia — is a good first step.

Both governments must now find a mature way of resolving these issues using diplomatic channels.

Both nations share a heritage which gives prominence to deliberations as a means of defusing conflicts and solving problems.

In this regard, we applaud Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa’s rejection of calls by some parliamentarians to recall the ambassador from Kuala Lumpur. Such a step would no doubt be tantamount to throwing fuel onto a fire.

For the Sept. 6 talks to be fruitful and meaningful, Indonesia needs to show more engagement with the issues at hand, and must present clear lines of argument.

We must make our stance crystal clear and have solid legal backing, especially on the border disputes. Resolving this dispute will require both political will and understanding.

For its part, Malaysia must show more respect to Indonesia, especially in the treatment of migrant workers. We cannot help but feel that in Malaysian eyes, all Indonesians are viewed as maids and plantation workers.

Some lawmakers are saying that the current passionate protests against Malaysia stem not only from the recent arrests of three Indonesian maritime officers.

Rather, they say the incident might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back, unleashing accumulated resentment against Malaysia resulting from various incidents in the past.

Kuala Lumpur must show a greater commitment to prosecuting employers who mistreat Indonesian workers — especially domestic maids — and must recognize the economic contribution these workers make to their economy.

The media on both sides must also avoid getting caught up in the emotions. The news that Malaysia had slapped a travel warning on Indonesia, for example, proved false when both countries denied it.

It is important that both countries take a step back and review the situation calmly and resolve the problems amicably.