Calls for more hiring of Indonesian nurses
Indonesia hopes that Malaysia will consider hiring its nurses to cater for the growing number of admissions among foreign patients in Johor, says Indonesian consul-general in Johor Baru, Sigit Suryantoro Widiyanto.
He said Johor was now a preferred destination among foreign patients because of its affordable healthcare, high quality of medical services, and proximity to Singapore.
“It is no wonder that around 40% or more of Johor’s foreign patients are Indonesian.
“We have sufficient, capable and experienced medical nurses,” Sigit said during his keynote address at the inaugural Johor-Indonesia Economic Business Forum 2025.
The event was organised by the Johor-Indonesia Business Chamber (JIBC).
Sigit emphasised the professionalism and expertise of Indonesian medical nurses that were recognised in many countries.
These include Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.
“I hope that through this forum we can initiate the possibility of having Indonesian medical nurses working in Johor,” he said.
He added this was a viable and reasonable option, due to geographical proximity as well as close cultural ties.
Sigit also highlighted the potential for stronger trade ties as Johor’s exports to Indonesia accounted for only 6.99% or RM29bil of Malaysia’s total RM418bil in exports to the republic last year.
“Similarly, Johor’s imports from Indonesia stood at 4.81% or RM18bil out of Malaysia’s total RM380bil in imports,” he said.
He expressed hope that Johor’s trade figures with Indonesia would reach at least 10% by next year.
Sigit noted that tourism was another area for expansion and that about 1.3 million Indonesians visited Johor last year.
“We expect the figure to increase, especially with Visit Johor Year 2026,” he said, describing relations between Indonesia and Malaysia as being “in the Golden Period”.
He said Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto and His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, have been friends for 40 years.
He also urged JIBC to disseminate information and opportunities between both countries, and to organise more business forums and trips.
“By doing so, JIBC can become the hub for entrepreneurs and leaders from both regions to share ideas, forge partnerships, and drive mutual growth,” he added.
The event also attracted many members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce from Riau province, Riau Islands, Dumai and Batam.
JIBC president Samuel Tan, in his address, said it was an opportune time for Johor and Indonesia to boost their trade to at least 10%, as the present figure was too low.
He said there were plenty of opportunities for Malaysia and Indonesia to tap in the next few decades.
“We must work together, harnessing each other’s strengths and complementing one another to win in an increasingly competitive world,” he stressed.
The areas for potential investments that Tan identified included infrastructure development, energy and resources, manufacturing, technology and digital economy, tourism, retail, financial services, and education.
Category: MJN enews
