Malaysia, a close neighbor of Indonesia, is separated only by the Strait of Malacca in West Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak, however, share a land border with Kalimantan. This proximity is one of the factors contributing to the large number of Indonesian Migrant Workers (IMWs) seeking opportunities in the neighboring country.
According to the Ministry of Manpower, the largest number of foreign workers (FWs) in Malaysia are from Indonesia. The total number of FWs in Malaysia in 2017 reached 1.78 million. Of this number, more than 728,000, or approximately 41%, were from Indonesia. Despite frequent reports of harsh treatment, Malaysia remains a primary destination for Indonesian workers seeking employment abroad.
Besides Indonesia, the largest number of FWs in Malaysia are from Nepal (406,000 workers) and Bangladesh (221,000 workers). India contributes 114,000 workers.