“Thank you, my Indonesian brothers and sisters, for working here in Malaysia to prosper our beloved country. Although far from home, we are sure you are close to your family in heart and mind,” he said.

The former governor of Jakarta said he understood the need for his countrymen to seek their fortunes abroad.

“I want to assure those who live and work in Malaysia that I am concerned for their well-being. There is a lot that needs to be done to protect them.

“I want to make a difference by paying special attention to their needs,” Anies, one of three candidates vying for the presidency of the republic, said in an exclusive interview with FMT.

He called on all Indonesians living and working in Malaysia to always uphold their home country’s good name.

“Respect the laws and be grateful for the benefits you derive here,” he said.

Some 1.7 million Indonesians work in Malaysia, primarily in the agriculture and construction sectors, and as domestic workers.

Anies faces Ganjar Prawono and Prabowo Subianto in the Indonesian presidential election, scheduled to be held on Feb 14 next year.