Manpower Department Ticks Off Irene Fernandez Over Comments To Indonesian Daily

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), May 11 (Bernama) -- The Peninsular Malaysia Manpower Department (JTK) today slammed Tenaganita executive director Irene Fernandez for making disparaging remarks about Malaysia to an Indonesian newspaper. JTK director-general Sh. Yahya Sh. Mohamed in a statement here Thursday said Irene's comments in her interview with the The Jakarta Post on Monday were very dangerous and could affect Malaysia's economy. "Any statement made in Indonesia not supported by clear facts is highly regrettable because it can have negative implications. She should not have tarnished the image of the country. "It can cause industrial growth to slow down which will lead to higher unemployment. Is her objective to see Malaysia become unstable and its economy stunted," Sh. Yahya asked. Sh Yahya added that the Employment Act 1955 required employers to act fairly to all employees whether Malaysian or otherwise and Section 60L of the act clearly disallowed any form of discrimination against foreign workers. In the interview, Irene is alleged to have said that Malaysia was an unsafe place for foreign workers. -- BERNAMA