Indonesia requests Malaysian employers for citizens’ polling day leave

Indonesia's Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah has made a compelling appeal to Malaysian employers, requesting their cooperation in granting Indonesian employees time off from work on the country’s presidential election day in February.

The world’s third-largest democracy will go to the polls on Feb 14, 2024, but overseas voters, including those in Malaysia, will cast their ballot on Sunday, Feb 11, which is also the second day of local Chinese New Year festivities.

“The ties between our two countries predate our respective periods of independence and Malaysia is not only a close neighbour to Indonesia but also a kindred nation, with strong bonds,” Ida (above) said.

Speaking to an audience that comprised major employers of Indonesian migrant labour from the plantation, manufacturing, and construction sectors during an unofficial visit to Kuala Lumpur last night, Ida’s appeal comes in preparation for at least 245,000 Indonesians to cast their votes from Malaysia.

The country’s General Election Commission projects a 700,000-strong Malaysian voter base and expects a 35 percent voter turnout.

“When workers are well-treated and feel comfortable in their workplace, it will be beneficial for employers,” she said.

Ida also reiterated the importance of stakeholders, including government agencies, recruitment agencies and employers in implementing the terms of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the Protection of Domestic Workers entered into by both countries in April 2022.

“The MOU is a manifestation of goodwill from both countries to protect Indonesian domestic workers employed in Malaysia achieved through the One Channel System that is the sole mechanism for their recruitment and placement.

“We are happy with the progress we have made after the implementation of the MOU and there is always room for improvements through our Joint Working Group sessions,” she said.

Colossal electoral process

Indonesian voters have three options for how they can cast their votes - direct voting at the dedicated polling station (Tempat Pemungutan Suara), by post, and through mobile ballot boxes (Kotak Suara Keliling).

Depending on their respective constituencies, voters are expected to receive four or five ballots each.

This complexity arises from Indonesia’s colossal electoral process which will see the selection of mayors, regents, governors, senators, and legislative members at various levels, including district, provincial and national, all within the same year.

Moreover, a presidential runoff remains a possibility if no candidate secures an absolute majority, making this election season a significant and multifaceted event.

This election is set to be closely watched especially after the recent turn of events that opened the chance for outgoing president Joko Widido’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, 36, to run for vice-president.

The chief justice of the country’s constitutional court Anwar Usama, who is also Widodo’s brother-in-law, headed a panel of nine judges that ruled candidates under the required age of 40 can run for presidency of vice-presidency, given they have prior experience in elected regional office.

Recruitment agencies against forced labour

Citing statistics from the Malaysian Immigration Department, Ida reported that there were 444,741 Indonesians with Temporary Employment Visit Passes working in Malaysia.

Indonesia's Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah (centre) with representatives from the leading association for recruitment agencies

“This year, we have approved 74,570 Indonesians seeking employment in Malaysia in the formal sector and 55, 378 in the informal sector.

“In an effort to enhance the employment process, the Indonesian government has developed a digital labour ecosystem known as Siapkerja to streamline the employment process, both domestically and internationally.

The dinner event, hosted by the National Association of Human Resources (Pusma) successfully brought together 50 major Malaysian employers of migrant labour, 80 registered Malaysia recruitment agencies and 30 Indonesian-registered recruitment agencies.

The gathering featured representatives from the leading association for recruitment agencies, the Indonesian Manpower Services Association (Apjati) which is collaborating with Pusma to improve workers’ protection in Malaysia.

Pusma president Zarina Ismail emphasised that in addition to the terms outlined in the MOU, recruitment agencies who are members of Pusma and Apjati continually seek ways to safeguard workers from any elements of forced labour through their employment contracts. - Mkini