Sun, 07 May 2000

Brunei and RI discuss business centers

JAKARTA (JP): Establishing joint business centers was one of the solutions agreed on by visiting Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and President Abdurrahman Wahid to bridge the disparity between bullock cart owners and Mercedes-Benz car owners.

During a meeting here on Saturday, the two leaders agreed to develop, together with Malaysia, business and industrial centers around the border areas of the three countries on Borneo island.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said joint economic activities would be able to reduce social tensions due to the severe economic gap among the people living in the area.

Alwi cited timber and pulp factories as among the most potential sectors to be developed.

"Our people near the border, for instance, see Bruneians driving Mercedes while they themselves only drive bullock carts. So in eliminating the jealousy, investment must be boosted around the borders," said Alwi after attending the meeting at Merdeka Palace.

The sultan arrived in Jakarta on Friday evening for a two-day working visit, as a courtesy following Abdurrahman's stop in Bandar Sri Begawan on Feb. 27.

According to Alwi, Bolkiah asked Abdurrahman during the meeting about the latest developments in Indonesia, especially in the troubled provinces of Aceh, Maluku and North Maluku.

The President also briefed Bolkiah on the planned signing of a note of understanding for a humanitarian pause between Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Geneva next week.

Abdurrahman assured his guest that the Aceh problem would be resolved soon and convinced him not to hesitate in investing in Aceh or other parts of the country.

"The signing in Geneva will become a starting point toward peace for Aceh people. And the sultan was happy to obtain the explanation," said Alwi.

The sultan promised to step up investment in Indonesia. He also offered scholarships for Indonesian students who want to study in the oil industry in Brunei.

Bolkiah left Jakarta on Saturday evening. (prb)