The Malaysian National Association of Employment Agencies (PIKAP) has urged the government to consider raising the cost of hiring Indonesian housemaids.

Its president, Datuk Raja Zulkepley Dahalan said this is because the cost of hiring set at RM7,800 is no longer relevant as the current cost stands at RM12,000 for a maid.

"Payment for biodata of Indonesian housemaids has risen to RM8,000. This does not include the levy, medical examination, Goods and Services Tax (GST), deposit and transportation," he told reporters here, Wednesday.

Also present was the Indonesian Manpower Services Association (APJATI) president Ayub Umar Basalamah.