More Malaysian households looking to hire Indonesian domestic workers may be forced to explore alternative sources following the new RM1,500 minimum wage agreed by the governments of both countries.

Malaysian Maid Employers Association (Mama) president Engku Ahmad Fauzi Engku Muhsein lamented that many families would not be able to afford the new salary for an Indonesian domestic worker, on top of initial recruitment costs capped at RM15,000.

"There is the possibility that employers will be looking for other cheaper alternatives.

He expressed fears that employers may be forced to take “shortcuts” by...