HUBUNGAN KERUH INDONESIA-MALAYSIA: ADA TANGAN TERSEMBUNYI?

Maids: Indonesia shouldn't stop them coming
MARISA DEMORI, Ipoh, Perak
letters@nst.com
2010/09/23


I REFER to the report "Indonesia bans maids from coming to Malaysia" (NST, Sept 22).
The move by the Indonesian government to ban maids coming to Malaysia is inappropriate and unacceptable, even if it comes in the wake of the latest tragic case of maid abuse.

Such a move will prevent people from being employed, and thereby earning an income. Even a small income is better than no income at all.

There is a lot governments can do to prevent abuse and disappointments, and the two top priorities are observance of the law and sound basic education.

I hope the Indonesian government will not go ahead with the proposed ban, and will allow its workers to enter Malaysia as needed.

Most people are humane, fair and understanding, and therefore, they will not mistreat their employees if they respect the terms of their contract.

For, as paradoxical and cynical as this conclusion may appear, I don't think maids who are abused are entirely innocent.

My question is, "Why do some of them withstand abuse to such a horrifying extent?"

Animals make noise and gestures when they are hungry, or in pain. Should not humans be more so?

It is important that governments ensure their citizens have the basic education necessary to take care of themselves, whether in their land, or in a foreign land. Petikan daripada NST 23 sEPT. 2010.

Komen:
Bagusnya di Indonesia ada badan bertindak seperti BENDERA yang menjaga kepentingan dan kebajikan rakyatnya di luar negeri. Mereka pantas bertindak dan mengumpulkan orang-rangnya apabila berlakunya tragedi seperti yang kita baca dan dengar. Medianya pun sensitif kepada berita-berita yang boleh menaikkan semangat cintakan negara rakyatnya di samping meningkatkan jualan produknya.

Tapi di Malaysia badan seperti itu tak wujud. Yang ada hanya badan yang mementingkan agenda politik dan kumpulan. Apabila ada ke-kes tragis dan kontraversi yang menyangkut kepentingan negara mereka tak kisah. Lagi pun mungkin rakyat kita tak perlu gusar biar kerajaan menyelesaikannya. Dalam erti kata sebenar, rakyat Malaysia tak ambil pusing sama ada negara ini baik atau tidak dari mata orang luar. Dalam erti kata lain, soal cintakan negara atau patritoik bukan masalah rakyat orang perorangan. Itu kerajaan punya uruan.

Dan yang paling penting rakyat Malaysia, termasuk kerajaan begitu menjaga sensitiviti rakyat negara luar, melebihi snsitiviti rakyatnya sendiri. Mudah-mudahan rakyat dan Malaysia akan terus bersikap sedemikian "demi menjaga keharmonian antara bangsa-bangsa.