By NURUL SUHAIDI / Pic by TMR FILE PIX

Ipoh Barat MP M Kula Segaran slams the government’s decision on having two ministries representing the intake of Indonesian maids. 

He described this as unprofessional and plain embarrassing.

“The two different positions about the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the intake of maids to Malaysia, boils down to the government’s instability and political manoeuvring,” he said in a statement today.

He noted that the Human Resources Minister is from Barisan Nasional while and the Home Minister is from Bersatu, and the feud between the parties has caused so much unhappiness among the people as it continues to bleed money and time.

“I urge both ministers to face the public and explain their stand  and why they are inconsistent when they belong to the same government. 

“Have they read the report by the independent committee on foreign workers which specifically says that only one ministry should handle foreign workers, which is the  Human Ministry?” he said. 

Kula Segaran further questioned the involvement of the Home Minister on the matter as it should be handled by only one ministry.

“Why is the Home Minister so ‘gung-ho’? What interest does he have in this matter? Is there a hidden agenda?” he said. 

He added that the Home Ministry is making lives difficult for Malaysians who are looking to hire maids. 

“The stand and policies of each of the ministries are contradictory, inconsistent and lacking in confidence,” he said.

“I urge the cabinet and Prime Minister to intervene and resolve this matter before these two ministers embarrass Malaysia further.

“Settle the matter once and for all with the interest of Malaysians at heart,” he concluded. 

Previously, Indonesia expressed dissatisfaction over the immigration department’s limited involvement in discussions about the MoU.

It said that so far its representatives had only attended two meetings.

Despite that, it was noted that this MoU to bring in employees from Indonesia which was scheduled to be signed on Feb 7 and 8 was postponed and to be put on hold due to arising matters.

In response to this, Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri M Saravanan was reported as saying that most of the pressing issues have been ironed out and he is confident that the MOU can be signed by the end of this month.

He added that the ministry is still aiming to conclude the MoU and is aware of the urgent demand for domestic workers among local employers.

Indonesia also expressed hope for both parties to honour their commitment to the agreement upon the signing of the MoU.