RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and Malaysia are moving toward deeper collaboration to improve the placement and protection of Indonesian migrant workers across key sectors in Malaysia.

The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Minister Mukhtarudin and a delegation from Malaysia’s Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) Economic and SME Affairs Committee in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

“Malaysia is the largest destination for Indonesian migrant workers. We explored several potential areas of cooperation between the ministry and MCA, particularly regarding employment opportunities for Indonesians in Malaysia,” Minister Mukhtarudin said, as quoted by Antara.

Among the proposals, MCA offered to help identify job opportunities and skill requirements in Malaysia’s industries so that training in Indonesia can be better aligned.

The association also encouraged ethical recruitment through official channels, including private-to-private (P to P) schemes involving licensed agencies, and government-to-private (G to P) mechanisms to meet large-scale labor demands, especially for skilled workers in MCA-affiliated industries.

Both sides are also considering the creation of a joint task force to resolve disputes between Indonesian workers and employers. The cooperation framework includes empowerment programs such as entrepreneurship training, scholarships, and support for marketing products from returning migrant workers in Malaysia through MCA’s networks.

Minister Mukhtarudin noted that plantations remain the largest sector employing Indonesian workers, but discussions also covered care services, transportation, education, and advocacy.

“We hope MCA can serve as a strategic partner, educating Malaysian employers to recruit Indonesian workers procedurally and uphold basic labor rights in line with regulations,” he emphasized.

MCA Vice President Lawrence Low, who led a delegation of 20 MCA leaders and 12 entrepreneurs, expressed appreciation for the dialogue.

“We discussed politics, economics, trade, and plantations, especially palm oil. Migrant worker issues were a major topic, and Malaysia is a close friend of Indonesia. Our visit feels like coming home,” Low concluded. ***