[ASEAN Report] Indecent Malaysian advertisement offends Indonesians

Flyer "Indonesian Maid on Sale!" (Photo: Migrant Care / www.vivanews.com)

A recent advertisement in Malaysia saying “Indonesian Maid on Sale!” raised protest from Indonesia.

Malaysia Ministry of Labor and Transmigration promised to investigate those related to the advertisement.

Malaysian government said the person who made the advertisement is recognized as Rubini.

Responding to Indonesian protest, Indonesian Minister of Labor and Transmigration Muhaimin Iskandar asked people not to jump to a conclusion. “We need to first know the real background of the matter,” he told journalists.

Indonesia has sent official protest regarding the advertisement. Therefore Iskandar asked Indonesian not to be provoked by the flyer advertisement.

Malaysian government also does not want to cause tension on its relations with Indonesia and promised to investigate the case thoroughly.

Malaysian Foreign Minister condemned the advertisement, saying that the advertisement is contradicting with Malaysia – Indonesia cooperation agreement on protecting Indonesian workers.

In 2011, Indonesia sent 581.081 Indonesian workers to work in Malaysia. About 45 percent of the workers worked in formal sectors while the rest work in informal sectors.

Meidyana Rayana Intern Reporter news@theasian.asia