Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur supported the Malaysian government`s wish to legalize foreign workers in Malaysia because the Indonesian government is basically also banning Indonesian migrant workers from illegal employment there.

"This decision (legalization) is very interesting, and obviously we will support it," Indonesian ambassador Da`i Bachtiar said here Tuesday.

He said that if they (Indonesian migrant workers) are illegal, obviously there would be no guarantee for their security and welfare. With the legalization, the position of Indonesians employed in this country would be clear, especially with regard to their rights and obligations.

The legalization will go into effect as of July 11, 2011, but a detailed statement is still awaited from the Malaysian government, Dai said, adding that the program would be preceded with a free registration of Indonesian migrant workers.

"If this plan is really carried out, tens of thousands of Indonesian migrant workers in the Malaysian peninsula alone will be interested in obtaining the legalization," Da`i said.

Therefore for a deeper understanding of the program, the Indonesian embassy has set up a special legalization team to socialize the program to the Indonesian migrant workers, especially in the Malaysian peninsula.

"We will go to the illegal Indonesian migrant workers pockets to socialize the program. This is important to prevent them from becoming victim by brokers," Da`i said.

In the meantime, head of the Indonesian embassy`s information, social and cultural section chief Suryana Sastradiredja warned Indonesians in Malaysia to be very watchful against the persuasion of irresponsible people who claimed they can take care of the legalization process. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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