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This ad for a vacuum cleaner sparked a diplomatic incident This ad for a vacuum cleaner sparked a diplomatic incident
(35 minutes later)
The Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur sent a letter to the Malaysian Home Ministry protesting an advertisement for a vacuum cleaner.The Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur sent a letter to the Malaysian Home Ministry protesting an advertisement for a vacuum cleaner.
The ad, images of which can be seen online on social media, depicts a Western office worker sitting casually at home as a robotic device sweeps the floor around him. "Fire Your Indonesian Maid Now!," the ad declares. The ad, images of which can be seen on social media, depicts a Western office worker sitting casually at home as a robotic device sweeps the floor around him. "Fire Your Indonesian Maid Now!" the ad declares.
Govt has filed a protest with Malaysia over an ads that says “Fire Your Indonesian Maid Now” http://t.co/Bhqm2Pm0iB pic.twitter.com/WNfr1JR6un — The Jakarta Globe (@thejakartaglobe) February 5, 2015Govt has filed a protest with Malaysia over an ads that says “Fire Your Indonesian Maid Now” http://t.co/Bhqm2Pm0iB pic.twitter.com/WNfr1JR6un — The Jakarta Globe (@thejakartaglobe) February 5, 2015
Govt has filed a protest with Malaysia over an ads that says “Fire Your Indonesian Maid Now” http://t.co/Bhqm2Pm0iB pic.twitter.com/WNfr1JR6unGovt has filed a protest with Malaysia over an ads that says “Fire Your Indonesian Maid Now” http://t.co/Bhqm2Pm0iB pic.twitter.com/WNfr1JR6un
— The Jakarta Globe (@thejakartaglobe) February 5, 2015— The Jakarta Globe (@thejakartaglobe) February 5, 2015
There are some 400,000 domestic workers in Malaysia, one of the more affluent Southeast Asian countries. Many of them are from the country's southern neighbor.There are some 400,000 domestic workers in Malaysia, one of the more affluent Southeast Asian countries. Many of them are from the country's southern neighbor.
"The ad by the private company Robovac is utterly insensitive and demeaning to the people of Indonesia," the Indonesian Embassy said in a statement. "We urge Malaysian authorities to ban the ad." Indonesian officials indicated they had contacted lawyers and were considering legal action against the company."The ad by the private company Robovac is utterly insensitive and demeaning to the people of Indonesia," the Indonesian Embassy said in a statement. "We urge Malaysian authorities to ban the ad." Indonesian officials indicated they had contacted lawyers and were considering legal action against the company.
The incident preceded the arrival of recently elected Indonesian President Joko Widowo, embarking on a five-day introductory tour through Southeast Asia that began in Malaysia. The incident preceded the arrival of recently elected Indonesian President Joko Widodo, embarking on a five-day introductory tour through Southeast Asia that began in Malaysia.
Bilateral ties between the two countries have been strained in the past over disputes regarding the treatment of Indonesian migrants. After a series of shocking abuse cases, Jakarta instituted a ban on Malaysians hiring Indonesian domestic workers in 2009 that was only lifted two years later after concerted wrangling between the two governments.Bilateral ties between the two countries have been strained in the past over disputes regarding the treatment of Indonesian migrants. After a series of shocking abuse cases, Jakarta instituted a ban on Malaysians hiring Indonesian domestic workers in 2009 that was only lifted two years later after concerted wrangling between the two governments.
Indonesia has a huge population of migrant laborers working in other countries in the region. Domestic workers are often subject to discriminatory laws and are particularly vulnerable to mistreatment, with reports of torture and abuse tragically common.Indonesia has a huge population of migrant laborers working in other countries in the region. Domestic workers are often subject to discriminatory laws and are particularly vulnerable to mistreatment, with reports of torture and abuse tragically common.
Earlier this week, RoboVac's Web site was hacked. The hackers posted a message on the site: "Please be nice to our sisters, they have family, they have kids. … Your advertisement is not very funny at all."Earlier this week, RoboVac's Web site was hacked. The hackers posted a message on the site: "Please be nice to our sisters, they have family, they have kids. … Your advertisement is not very funny at all."