Indonesia and Malaysia are Good Neighbors

President Joko Widodo and Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razal after a meeting at the Merdeka Palace, on Monday (1/8) afternoon

President Joko Widodo received the visit of Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Sri Mohammad Najib Tun Abdul Razak, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday (1/8) afternoon. The meeting was conducted to discuss the 11^th Indonesia-Malaysia Consultation Meeting.

“Indonesia and Malaysia are two neighbors that have established a good relationship for quite long. It is reflected from the rates of trade, investment, and tourism of both countries. This 11^th consultation meeting is a good opportunity to discuss priority issues that need to be improved,” the President told the journalists at a joint press conference with PM Najib.

President Joko Widodo explained that in the meeting, Indonesia conveyed three main issues, i.e. first borders establishment. “We have agreed to more intensify negotiations as well as meetings,” the President said.

Second, security cooperation in Sulu waters and its surrounding areas. Indonesia is concerned about abduction as well as hostage cases in this area and encourage Trilateral cooperation between Malaysia, the Phillipines, and Indonesia to be carried out as soon as possible.

The third issue, the President added, is related with protection for Indonesian Citizen. “The Government of Indonesia emphasizes the importance to cooperate in protecting Indonesian workers in Malaysia,” the President said.

Two Cooperation Documents

On that occasion, both countries signed two cooperation documents. They are:

1. Bilateral Agreement between Financial Services Authority (OJK) and Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia) under ASEAN Banking Integration Framework. Indonesia was represented by the Chairman of OJK Board of Commissioners Bapak Muliaman D. Hadad and Malaysia was represented by the Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia Datuk Muhammad Ibrahim.

This bilateral meeting aims at reducing the gap in market access as well as financial activities of both countries through the presence of Qualified ASEAN Bank in each jurisdiction based on mutual understanding principle.

2. Agremeent between Indonesian Government and the Board of Palm Oil Exporting Countries on Secretariat of the Board of Palm Oil Exporting Countries.

On that occasion, President Joko Widodo also highly appreciated the participation of Prime Minister Najib at the 12^th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) Summit, held at Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, from 2 to 4 August 2016. After attending the 11^th Indonesia-Malaysia Consultation Meeting, the Prime Minister is slated to be one of the speakers at the WIEF.

On that bilateral meeting, the President was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Manpower Hanif Dhakiri, Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya, and Minister of Defence Ryamizard Ryacudu. (DNA/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)