Give working Indonesians more respect, Malaysians told

"It's only fair we change our perception towards Indonesians. Even if many of them are maids and contract labourers, they are human beings and should be treated with fairness and dignity," Zainal Abidin Mohd Zin was quoted by AFP as telling the New Straits Times.

Zainal said Malaysians should realise many Indonesian professionals work in Malaysia and that millions more visit as tourists, adding the treatment of Indonesians aroused strong emotions and could affect bilateral relations.

The ambassador, speaking during Malaysian deputy premier Najib Razak's trip to Indonesia's Sulawesi province, said that bad treatment meted out to Indonesians had given Malaysians a reputation for arrogance.

He urged prompt handling of complaints of abuse towards Indonesian workers, which have triggered bad press in the Indonesian media after a string of disturbing cases.

"With more than two million Indonesians working in Malaysia, legally or otherwise, there are bound to be problems and cases of abuse," Zainal was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.