The department said the home affairs ministry takes the matter seriously and is committed to ensuring that employers do not abuse and exploit such workers.

Yesterday, Indonesian ambassador Hermono called on the Malaysian authorities to act swiftly on abuses against Indonesian domestic workers, including unpaid wages, mistreatment, and even torture.

The “alarming instances of exploitation”, he said, “signal a distressing trend that requires an amicable resolution by Malaysian employers and stringent enforcement by authorities”.

In a statement this morning, immigration director-general Ruslin Jusoh said the department will take stern action against employers who violate the laws and conditions on the recruitment of Indonesian domestic workers.

He said they will be charged in court if they are suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and will be blacklisted from employing such workers again.

He said the welfare and protection of Indonesian domestic workers form part of the agreement included in the memorandum of understanding signed between the Malaysian and Indonesian governments in April last year.

Ruslin also said the number of Indonesian foreign workers with temporary work visit passes as of Oct 16 is 447,094. They include 57,916 domestic workers.

He said the department has not received any formal complaints from the embassy related to the abuse, persecution and manipulation of Indonesian workers.

“We welcome the Indonesian embassy to submit specific complaints to us for investigation, so further action can be taken,” he said, adding that the department is cooperating with agencies like the Peninsular Malaysia manpower department (JTKSM), the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO), the police and Suhakam to deal with such matters.

He also urged the public to provide the department with information on the abuse and exploitation of foreign workers.