AFTER several setbacks, Malaysia and Indonesia will finally ink the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the recruitment and placement of Indonesian domestic workers on April 1 in Jakarta, says Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.

       The signing will be witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the Human Resources Minister told a press conference at Parliament lobby yesterday to clear the air over yet another apparent postponement.

       Saravanan said the signing ceremony was initially fixed for March 18 and Jokowi wanted to witness the signing.

       “As such, an invitation was also extended to our Prime Minister to witness the signing. However, the Prime Minister has to attend the Umno general assembly on that date,” he explained.

       On Monday, Saravanan had told the Dewan Rakyat that the MOU would be inked by this week.

       The following day, Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Hermono stated that the proposed ceremony was called off due to the unavailability of the leaders of both countries.

       On Jan 24, Saravanan announced that the MOU would be signed in Bali on Feb 7 and 8. This failed to materialise as negotiations could not be finalised in time.