Malaysia, Indonesia agree in principle to integrate SMO, OCS, says Immigration DG

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed in principle to integrate the Maid Online System (SMO) and the One Channel System (OCS), says Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud.

He said the decision was reached during a meeting with Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia Hermono yesterday, which was joined by senior officials from the Human Resources Ministry.

ALSO READ: Stop relying on traditional source of countries alone for foreign labour, says PM

“The embassy will take the necessary action after obtaining approval from Jakarta,” he said as a guest on the Bicara Naratif programme entitled Immigration: Digital Transformation, the Basis of Excellence broadcast on RTM1 Tuesday night (July 19).

He added the ministry had written officially to the Indonesian embassy to allow workers from the country for other sectors to be allowed into Malaysia while waiting for the agreement to become official.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said yesterday that both governments began discussions about the freeze on Indonesian foreign workers.

Hermono had announced Indonesia’s decision to impose a temporary freeze on all workers entering Malaysia from July 13 following the Immigration Department’s continued use of SMO in the application of domestic help by employers even though both countries had agreed to use one channel, the OCS, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding Indonesian domestic workers signed last April. – Bernama