Kota Kinabalu: Indonesians living in Sabah have been urged to comply with the law and respect local customs and traditions to help maintain public safety and social harmony.
Indonesian Consul in Tawau, Dino Nurwahyudin, said the Consulate continuously educates Indonesian nationals on the importance of respecting and complying with the laws, regulations and customs of both the Sabah Government and the Federal Government.
“That is indeed our primary role at the Consulate in Tawau.
“We appreciate the Sabah Government for enabling the children of Indonesian workers to receive an education through the Community Learning Centres (CLC), established through cooperation between the Sabah Government and the Government of Indonesia since 2011.
“This also benefits companies because the availability of CLCs has helped improve workers’ productivity.
“There are three companies that provide CLC facilities for the children of Indonesian workers, namely Sabah Softwoods Berhad, Benta Wawasan Sdn Bhd and Sawit Kinabalu,” he told reporters after paying a courtesy call on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Musa Aman, at Istana Seri Kinabalu.
Dino, who was accompanied by his wife, Gain Nurwahyudin, said the visit was to inform Tun Musa of his appointment as the new Indonesian Consul in Tawau, effective July 9, replacing Aris Heru Utomo, who has retired.
He also expressed appreciation to the Sabah Government for the Smart Sabah Programme, which enables foreign workers and their family members with incomplete documentation to regularise their status.
“This initiative allows foreign workers and their families who have yet to complete their documentation to process the necessary documents so they can work legally in the State.
“Employers or companies may submit applications to enable the workers concerned to obtain the required documentation.
“They must possess a passport issued by the Government of Indonesia. Once the passport has been obtained and all stipulated requirements have been fulfilled, their residence and work permits will be processed through the Smart Sabah Programme,” he said.
According to records maintained by the Indonesian Consulate in Tawau, about 120,000 Indonesian nationals are registered in its database.
However, Dino believes the actual number is higher because of the proximity of the international border and the large Indonesian population living along Sabah’s east coast, including Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu and Kalabakan.
