Indonesia and Malaysia on The Works
After enduring a long year of social unrest, the two ruling governments are finally, really working their behinds off to mend the relationship of the two neighboring states.
UMNO: “Indon”, not to be used by Malaysians
UMNO, the ruling party of Malaysia, calls upon Malaysian citizens, and its mass media to stop calling Indonesians, “Indon”
Khairy Jamaluddin, from the UMNO Youth, stated that the term “Indon” is highly unpopular with the Indonesians.
He also teased that the Indonesian media, and many of the weblogs, that have reported the issues of recent conflicts, have made the relationship between Indonesia, and Malaysia worse.
He made this statement during the Malindo 2008 Dialogue which is held annually (Only have I found out now), which is organized by the Indonesian National Youth Committee, and the Malaysian Youth Council to discuss various issues of the two countries, especially economic ties.
RI President in Malaysia
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has flown to Malaysia just today, as part of the works in improving the bilateral relationship of the two countries.
Both countries have encouraged this visit, and is seen to be an important part to boost the ties, and mend the ‘misunderstanding’.
Taken from Malaysia’s news agency, BERNAMA:
Historian Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim said:
“Strained ties do not benefit either country and Malaysia has all the reasons to be more worried as we are a small country,”
Relations between the two countries sometimes become strained when the Indonesian media plays up issues like the overlapping claims for the territory of Ambalat, treatment of Indonesian workers in Malaysia and even copyright on songs and cultural dances.
“Malaysians too must understand Indonesian sensitivities and not act arrogant. The humble approach is better,” said Dr Khoo.
A former Malaysian diplomat to Indonesia, Datuk Mokhtar Selat, said Malaysian-Indonesian relations must be based on that of mutual interests of two sovereign states.
“It should not be interpreted as one of “big brother and small brother”,” said the Universiti Malaya International Studies Department lecturer.
He said both countries had an important role to play to ensure stability in the region and that dissatisfaction by a few in the republic about Malaysia because of sentiments, also needed to be addressed.
Indonesia, and Malaysia’s Relationship at The Lowest Level
Meanwhile in Jakarta, fraction from the PDIP (Struggle Democratic Party of Indonesia), and the DPR RI, made a statement that the diplomatic relations betwen Indonesia, and Malaysia, is at its lowest point in the history of the Serumpun states.
“We are aware that the RI-Malaysia relationship has been of ups-and-downs, but what happened recently has been the worst in history, since the end mass confrontation.” said Andreas Pareira, from the PDIP.
Other Indonesian officials are hoping that the meeting between Malaysian PM, Abdullah Badawi, and RI President, Bambang Yudhoyono, will pay serious attention to many sensitive issues, such as “Indonesian foreign workers, state borders, cultural copyrights, economy, and crucially the issue of terrorism”
Filed under: Indonesia, Leader, Malaysia, Malindo, Politics, Social, South East Asia | Tagged: Badawi, Indonesia, Malaysia, Malindo, Pak Lah, Politics, Relationship, RI, SBY, UMNO, Yudhoyono
