PENDANG: It may cost more to hire an Indonesian domestic workers in Malaysia, says Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Awang Hashim.

       He said the new cost structure would only be announced in April after both countries sign the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the matter.

       He also said the government was not ruling out the possibility that there could be a hike in costs.

       "It may or may not increase – we will review it from time to time.

       "The RM7,800 cost structure stated before is the old one based on the previous cost agreed to by the 9th Working Group in Sept 2013 under an MOU which expired in 2016," he told reporters after a visit to the project site of the Pendang Hospital here Sunday (March 27).

       Also present were Kedah Public Works Department director Ibrahim Ahmad and Kedah Health director Dr Othman Warijo.

       Meanwhile, Awang who is also Pendang MP, said construction of the new Pendang Hospital in Kampung Banggol Pauh, is 95% complete.

       He said once operational, the hospital will be able to provide medical services to over 100,000 residents in the district and its surrounding areas. – Bernama