The Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur lauded the announcement by the Malaysian government on setting up the agency fees at RM8, 000 for bringing their maids to the country.

However, the embassy said they must also have a discussion with the maid agencies to know whether there will be other increments or uncounted cost that would emerge later.

When contacted by Astro Awani, the embassy Information, Social and Cultural Affairs Minister-Counsellor, Akhmad D.H Irfan said certain steps beyond the RM8, 000 must be looked at.


“We look at the RM8, 000 figures as just a fee to bringing the maid from Indonesia to this country but what we really want to know from the agencies if other fees such as training and salary will be increased,” he said.

Akhmad added they have yet to meet the maid agencies but will carry out as soon as the action has been implemented.

“We have to meet them (the agencies) to know more about the other fees that might not be included in the RM8, 000. We also want to know what kind of training method and whether the maids brought from Indonesia are really qualified,” he said.

Over the years, the agency fees for Indonesian maids have been increased.

In 2007, Malaysians will only have to pay around RM2, 415 as the agency fee for bringing Indonesian maids to the country. The rate was increased to RM4, 511 in 2011.

Meanwhile, in Twitterjaya, many people disagree with the government’s action on setting up RM8, 000 as the agency fee for bringing Indonesian maids to this country.