In a statement today, Saravanan said matters related to domestic workers had been discussed in depth in a series of Cabinet meetings, including this week’s meeting on Wednesday (Feb 9).

Saravanan said he and home minister Hamzah Zainudin shared the same objective, which was to protect and safeguard the welfare and well-being of Indonesian workers in the country, Bernama reported.

“I would like to advise all foreign workers on the importance of having valid travel documents and work permits so that their rights are protected,” he said.

On Jan 24, it was reported that Malaysia and Indonesia had agreed to implement a pilot project to recruit 10,000 maids from February.

Earlier today, Indonesian ambassador Hermono said Saravanan and Hamzah had taken “different positions” about the deal on the intake of maids.

He told FMT he had received information that the two ministers made contradictory statements on Malaysia’s position to Indonesian manpower minister Ida Fauziyah. While he was aware that Hamzah had met with Indonesian home affairs minister Tito Karnavian to talk about the MoU, the matter was unrelated to the Indonesian minister’s portfolio.