KUALA LUMPUR – Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan has rubbished claims that Malaysia is required to get rid of the Maid Online System (MOS) as part of the country’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indonesia to recruit foreign workers.
Speaking at the Dewan Rakyat, Saravanan instead claimed that the condition laid out in the memorandum only requires that both countries use Indonesia’s One Channel System (OCS) in order to hire workers from the republic.
He added that the temporary freezing of Indonesian workers’ recruitment beginning July 12 was only a misunderstanding between the two nations.
“The Human Resources Ministry and Home Ministry discussed the matter yesterday, and agreed that further discussions are needed with Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Hermono to resolve the issue immediately,” he said.
“Coincidentally, there is no requirement for us to remove our MOS system. What is mentioned in the MoU is to use the existing (OCS) system in Indonesia.
“Yesterday, we also discussed with our Indonesian counterpart and we agreed to integrate both systems.”
He was responding to questions from the floor on Indonesia’s decision to allow their workers to enter Malaysia after the latter supposedly breached the MoU by continuing to use the MOS system.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had on Friday instructed both the human resources and home ministries to immediately address the issue to avoid problems between the two states.
Explaining Indonesia’s decision to freeze workers from entering Malaysia, Saravanan said the neighbouring country is finding difficulty monitoring its citizens when the intakes are done through the MOS system.
“Some of their workers enter using a tourist visa and later obtain a working permit from Malaysia. They (Indonesia) don’t have information on this. With the OCS system, they are able to better monitor.
“Through our discussion yesterday, we have agreed to integrate both systems so both countries can obtain the necessary information. I am confident this issue will be resolved soonest.”
Saravanan also acknowledged the dire need for more foreign workers in the country, including in the plantation industry, but pointed out that the ministry has already approved the intake of over 200,000 workers.
He said the onus is on employers to bring in these workers based on their respective needs, and that the ministry has no objection. – The Vibes, July 19, 2022
