Surely the Indonesian Press Is Doing Its Job?
Surely the Indonesian Press is Doing Its Job?
By Farish A. Noor
Every time I find myself in Indonesia, I am asked the same question by my Indonesian friends and students: Â Why are Indonesian workers in Malaysia treated so badly there?
It is well known by now that the treatment of foreign workers, both legal and illegal, in Malaysia by Malaysians falls short of many standards deemed acceptable in any other developed country. Â Time and again we are treated to lurid accounts of violence, intimidation, corruption and downright abuse meted upon foreign workers by the members of the host community. Â It has become sadly commonplace to hear about foreign workers having their passports taken away from them until they have fulfilled their contract; foreign maids being locked up at home and not allowed holidays; racial abuse in the streets, and sexual abuse in the homes where the workers earn their wages.
Not surprisingly if and when such news is made public, it receives the attention that is its due in the Malaysian press – which is not exactly the freest press in Southeast Asia at the moment.  Even less surprisingly when such news gets back to the home country of the workers themselves, it is often pounced upon for reasons of a common national solidarity among co-nationals.  This is not new nor unique to Indonesia:  The South Asian press is full of accounts of Indian, Nepalese, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan workers being abused in the Arab countries, Europe and North America.  That is, after all, what the press is there for: to highlight news that is seen as relevant and of interest to the readers and viewers.
It therefore comes as a surprise (well, not really) that Malaysia’s Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin recently lamented what he regarded as the negative role played by the Indonesian media in raising the issue of workers’ abuse in neighboring Malaysia.  Minister Zainuddin was at Indonesia’s Padjajaran University speaking at a conference commemorating fifty years of Malaysian-Indonesian relations, which has taken a downward turn over the past few months thanks to the issue of mistreatment of Indonesian workers.
While the Minister may have a point when noting that the Malaysian government has provided schools and education for the children of Indonesian workers in Malaysia, he seems to have lost the point about press freedom and the responsibility of the media. To suggest, as some Malaysian leaders have done, that the Indonesian press has deliberately stoked the flames of public outrage and anger by highlighting the instances of workers’ abuse in Malaysia is pointing the finger of accusation at the wrong party. If Malaysia, or any other country for that matter, does not want to be seen and found guilty of mistreating its foreign workers, then the responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of the Malaysian government to see to it that such abuses do not happen; and when they do, should be reported and taken action against. Surely in cases like these the real culprits are the Malaysian employers – be they companies or families – who have abused their employees in the first place?
In a classic case of shooting the messenger for delivering the message, the Malaysian government’s admonition of the Indonesian media serves no purpose apart from shifting the blame of responsibility from the guilty to the bystander. While emotions can and do run high when such reports make it into the public domain, it would be nonsensical to expect the Indonesian media to keep silent while cases of abuse in Malaysia continue to rise, inundating the Malaysian courts with more and more unresolved cases. Furthermore, would the Malaysian media not be doing the same if it were Malaysian workers who were being cheated, abused, sexually assaulted, denied their papers and exploited at will elsewhere in the world? And wouldn’t Malaysians have every right to feel angry if their co-nationals were being mistreated abroad too?
The perennial edict ‘treat others as you would like them to treat you’ comes to mind here. After fifty years of Malaysian-Indonesian relations, surely we should have moved from a politics of difference to the point of a politics of recognition: One that sees the Other not as a foreigner – alien and incomprehensible – but rather a reflection of ourselves, with the same needs, wants and aspirations, and the desire to be treated with dignity and respect.
End.
Dr. Farish A. Noor is a Malaysian political scientist based at the Zentrum Moderner Orient in Berlin, and visiting professor at Sunan Kalijaga Islamic University, Jogjakarta.
Â
July 1st, 2007 at 12:27 am
Dear Farish,
Malaysians tend to look down on Indonesians. We forget that Indonesia has a very long history, a great culture, and a tradition of solid intellectualism.
You are teaching at Jogjakarta, and will be well positioned to compare the Indonesian students with students at our unversities, say Universiti Malaya where you once taught, in terms of quality and maturity.
The press is very free and TEMPO is alive well and Goenawan Mohamed is very alive and active as a special commentator to this well respected magazine. As for the Malaysian media, they have been cowed and are now apologists for the ruling party. ZAM thinks he is Goebbels.
It is our sense of inferiority that makes us do despicable and inhuman things to people who have come to work and contribute to our national development. The least we can do is to extend normal courtesies and pay them what is their due, be they maids or construction workers.
The government is equally culpable and I hope our leaders understand the full implications when Malaysians mistreat citizens of a proud and sovereign Indonesia.
It piques me to no end to see traffic cops stopping taxis carrying Indonesian workers who are going to Kuala Lumpur on a weekend. They harass and collect rents. These cops do not even recognise official documents which these people carry with them.
July 1st, 2007 at 5:36 am
I think it is about time that maids be treated as an employee like in any other industry, with a miniumum wage, insurance and annual leave. I really don’t see why they should be treated any differently.
July 1st, 2007 at 8:05 am
To Farish, you have only to read M Bakri Musa to realise that you have more to learn from Bakri and Din Integrated Thinking. Farish, YOU ARE A BANGSAT!
To others, have you mixed with these Bangladeshi, Myanmars, Vietnamese, Indians, Indonesians ‘legal and illegal’? Alone and in groups? Have you read Bakri’s pronouncement on the Afghans and why they are almost barbaric in nature?
Lekiu, do you have a maid - an indo and legal?
July 1st, 2007 at 11:55 am
Yo Bakri!
DrFARISH AHMAD-NOOR THE BANGSAT!
(what of din a merican, then?)
The Star Online > Nation
Thursday June 14, 2007
Farish: Look to Indonesia
By LOH FOON FONG
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and the rest of the Muslim world have much to learn from Indonesia’s progressive approach in Islamic education, said political scientist Dr Farish Ahmad-Noor.
In comparison, Islam in Malaysia is politicised and there is no independent space for it to be in the public domain, he said when interviewed at the ISIS International Affairs forum on “Jihad revisited? Shifting dynamics of radical movements in Indonesia†yesterday.
Farish, a visiting professor at the Sunan Kalijaga Islamic University in Jogjakarta, said he is often asked: “Why is the interpretation of Islam so narrow in Malaysia when historically and culturally we (Malaysia and Indonesia) are similar?â€
Click below for the full article:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/14/nation/18017276&sec=nation
What happened to Al-Arqam, Farish?
As for the Shi’tes, Bakri said that only the Ismailis impressed him.
Well, you are cari makan di Indonesia and for that matter why don’t you give up Malaysian citizenship and be an Indonesian, Farish.
“It is our sense of inferiority that makes us do despicable and inhuman things to people who have come to work and contribute to our national development. The least we can do is to extend normal courtesies and pay them what is their due, be they maids or construction workers…The government is equally culpable and I hope our leaders understand the full implications when Malaysians mistreat citizens of a proud and sovereign Indonesia…It piques me to no end to see traffic cops stopping taxis carrying Indonesian workers who are going to Kuala Lumpur on a weekend. They harass and collect rents. These cops do not even recognise official documents which these people carry with them”
- Din
Din, have you come in close contacts with Indonesians both of the natives and the chinese roots? Sometimes, I do wonder if the Indonesians habours any good intentions of Malaysians apart from ‘bapak Malaysia ini datang dari negeri yang kaya’ when I know that there are more natural resources in Indonesia than Malaysia - abundant! I won’t want to speak to the Indo-campurans (peranakan) - only the west is civilized!?
And what of the illegals legal Chinese student activities? Are we, too, guilty of enforcement brutalities, Din? Do you think HIV is an African, Indians and Latin Americn problem, Din? What are you, Din a merican?
SUCKING up to bakri?
July 1st, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Dear Farish:
Thank you for letting me post your timely commentary.
The issue you raised pertains not only to foreign maids in Malaysia but also elsewhere in Singapore and Hong Kong. Indeed there are abuses when the maids are local (from the kampong). We Asains have yet to escape our feudal mentality of slave/master relationship. Our new economic wealth instead of liberating us only resurrects this ugly old pattern.
I was in Beijing recently and believe me the Chinese there treated their maids (their own kind too!) with contempt. That however should not be our standard.
For Chinese Malaysians, maltreating Indonesian maids is a vicarious attempt to compenste for what these Chinese Malaysians feel their contemptuous treatment from the Malay officialdom.
In the final analysis, the loser in all these are young Malaysians who are brought up by maids in these families. I see these Malaysians here, acting like little lords expecting their host to pick up after them because they had never have to do that at home with their every need taken care of by maids.
One solution would be as suggested by Lekiu to treat maids as bona fide service industry worker. They should get health and other insurances, EPF etc paid by their employers. As far as I am concerned, these maids should get at least RM1,000 per month with regular time off. Then they will get the respect they truly deserve. If they are maltreated they should be able to sue their employers. when employers have to fork nearly 1,500 per month (salaries plus benefits), they will treat their maids better.
we too have maids in America (we call them nannies). Believe me they are well paid. They teach your children good manners and useful life skills. Indeed they are required to be certified in CPR.
In short, upgrade the maids. Incidentally, have you heard of maids employed by expatriates in Malaysia being abused? Visit an expatriate family in KL and see how they treat their maids.
Bakri Musa
July 1st, 2007 at 11:58 pm
Dear Mika Angel-0,
Have you seen a shrink lately? Or are you being cute?
Let us stick to the issues and not discuss matters which are not relevant to Farish’s article.
I lived in Jakarta for one full year and interacted with all levels of Indonesian society in the course of my work. It is my considered view that the Indonesians are a people who have “maruah” and that is something that is sadly lacking here. That is why we have become so corrupt in recent years, collecting rents everywhere, that business cannot get done here without grease.
Don’t be paranoid. The Indonesians are not after your money. The politicians here in Malaysia are after yours. So please be more careful about what is happening in your own backyard.
Just two days ago, a business colleague lost a considerable sum of “upfront money” when he made a tender bid for a job in Melaka. He was promised by a “respected” politician that he would get the job. The next thing my colleague knew was that another competitor who paid more was given the job. He lost not only his money but also did not get the job. If you think that this “rent” collector is a self respecting Malay politician, I suggest you think again.
I asked my colleague why he had to do that. He told me that “I am not like you who, as a senior Sime Darby executive before you retired, can decide not to tender at the slightest hint of impropriety. I have to play the game, or I will get no chance of ever getting a job from my small company”. My colleague is a competent, hard working and well qualified Malay with a very good track record.
Labels won’t help and I am not bothered about being labelled a “bangsat”. I have been called worse than that, and have not lost a wink of sleep. So your calling me a bangsat is a compliment, in fact.
Thanks.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:45 am
I believe part of the problem also lies with the Indonesian Govt. I think they should do more for their citizens. Their embassy in Malaysia should play a more active role in protecting their citizens. The Indonesian Govt in wanting to ensure billons of dollars of sent home by the foreign workers have consistently ignore workers rights, what more with rising unemployment in Indonesia. I believe they have tried to negotiate with the Malaysian Govt to impose minimum wage without much success.
I have always thought that the Indonesian people are culturally very sophisticated. My wife and I adore Bali and I still remember fondly Prameodya Ananta Toer’s Keluarga Gerilya I read some 20 years ago.
The Philippines Govt on the other hand have been successful in negotiating better terms for their citizens working as domestic helpers. Apparently the ability of their domestic helpers to converse in English gives them an edge and a better deal.
I don’t think minimum wage of RM 1,000 would be something that the Malaysians can afford. I was thinking more like a minimum wage of RM 600 per month, excluding medical insurance and that the domestic helpers being given Sunday off.
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:50 am
Dear Din a merican
A SHRINK - QUICK!
“Don’t be paranoid. The Indonesians are not after your money. The politicians here in Malaysia are after yours. So please be more careful about what is happening in your own backyard.” - Din a merican
Thanks, Din! So that means you’re one who flew from the cuckoo’s nest of a ‘your own backyard’, Din.
“I have been called worse than that, and have not lost a wink of sleep. So your calling me a bangsat is a compliment, in fact.”
HAAAAAAH! Man, Bakri, Din is hilarious. So I guess he should do the Umrah(the neat trick of all).
Why are you so angry about the men in parliament that I sense a dsai virus smouldering in you, Din; and I guessed you met the good Indonesians fortunately which is very, very, very rare, Din. Alhamdulillah, Din.
Ever dealt with a Pak Gubnor, Din?
Still, I like the Indonesians as long as they like Malaysian me, Din. Pak Edi was a real gentleman and he hates most of the tricks of his fellow countrymen, Din.
So recommend me a good shrink, Din; so I can get over being angry at all and sundry, Din.
Cheers, Din. My favorite was the Johnny Walker Black Label, Din.
Now as for the Farish The Bangsat, I don’t think he needs a shrink, Din.
He is a polical scientist, Din - for god sake la. Now, are you SUCKING UP to him, Din a merican?
July 2nd, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Dear Mika Angel-0,
If you are already on Johnny Walker Black Label, you do not need any shrink. Don’t waste your money. Keep that money for more Johnny’s. Perhaps, get a few bottles of fine French Red wines.
Yes, I know Farish very well and think he is a good researcher and a very able young man. He speaks his mind frankly. His types are either not appreciated or marginalised in our country. We prefer laksamana bodeks and pendikar kipas.
July 3rd, 2007 at 4:49 am
Dear Din Merican,
Salaam
Californian Wines? - Thank You, Sir.
Now that you have put it that way, we do need a whole lot more the likes of you rather than Farish - when they are only just good researchers - so we can take drunkards’ potshots at them to make ourselves endearing fans for the laksmanas and the pendekars so as to make them more sensitive to the heat and the wet what with Climate Change and Global Warming.
Yes, one may speak one’s mind frankly; but would the voice take one’s caravaneserai on the brink of the precipice to safety and out of the mortal danger or fling us further in the vortex of the sand storm spiralling down the polluted abyss and land right smack in the dregs of Ignorance. Doing a Shafi’e when it is unneccessary is not Ghazalian, is it, Din Merican?
When you do meet up with Farish, just tell him what I said.
Sunan Kalijogo is a very honorable name. He stands with us Muslims.
Splendid Californian Wines are what we hope to be served in this exclusive club of hopeful wine lovers, Din Merican, so let just let them get to us till we desire no more. Doomed lovers are seldom understood by drunks like me. A fa man-yahkum?
Cheers.
July 4th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
In June 2004 the Star reported that there were 250,000 domestic helpers legally employed in Malaysia. On 2 July 2007, under the title “Government to study the impact of foreign maids on families”, it was reported that there are some 320,000 maids in the country. This according to Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun worked out to about one maid for every 18 families.
It was also reported in 2004 that the Human Resource Ministry was on the verge of setting up a training institute to train local to become domestic helpers and help create an organised labour market for them to enter into. After three years I have not heard of the program, which was to be set up within three months from June 2004, by the Ministry.
With our labour market so disorganised it is inevitable that labourers, including domestic helpers, are easily exploited. I guess this will not change soon since our government departments are also disoganised.