Mahathir and Soeharto to discuss ASEAN issues

Mahathir and Soeharto to discuss ASEAN issues

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday he would discuss with visiting Indonesian President Soeharto how both countries could take a common stance on ASEAN and APEC issues.

Soeharto is scheduled to arrive for a two-day visit today, accompanied by State Secretary Moerdiono and Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, with the aim of fostering bilateral ties, officials said.

Mahathir told a news conference yesterday he would raise the question of how both countries could work together and "what should be our stand in ASEAN, (and) what should be our stand in APEC." He did not elaborate.

Malaysia wants Myanmar integrated into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, along with Laos and Cambodia, by next year. Malaysia and Indonesia are members of ASEAN which groups Brunei, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Earlier yesterday Mahathir said it was unnecessary to review ASEAN's "constructive engagement" policy with Myanmar, a policy criticized as ineffective by many Western countries.

"It is a good policy. I see evidence that it has caused a change in Myanmar (Burma)," said Mahathir, who wants to see Myanmar to become a full member of ASEAN by 1997.

"Before (this), Myanmar was completely closed. But we continued to try and establish relations with them and today, they are open," Mahathir told a news conference after opening a meeting of the Gerakan political party.

Gerakan is among the key component parties of Mahathir's 14- member National Front coalition government.

ASEAN's so-called "constructive engagement" policy with Myanmar to gently prod it towards greater respect for human rights has been labeled a failure by many Western countries.

But ASEAN has rejected Western efforts to isolate Myanmar, giving it observer status in July and saying it is only a matter of time before the country gains full membership.

The Philippines has asked for a review of ASEAN's "constructive engagement" policy, but Mahathir has said "it is a good policy."

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum comprises Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States and all ASEAN member countries except Vietnam.

APEC's goal is to achieve a free-trade regime by 2010 for developed countries and by 2020 for the rest.

Among the current issues involving Malaysia and Indonesia are ownership of Ligitan and Sipadan, two small islands between the Malaysian state of Sarawak and Indonesia's East Kalimantan province.

Indonesian armed forces chief General Feisal Tanjung last month said in Jakarta both leaders wanted to discuss the dispute during Soeharto's visit and seek a "comprehensive solution."

Another issue is the presence of 5,000 illegal Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia.

Mahathir and Soeharto are also expected to try to resolve a row over Indonesia's bid for the top post in a global rubber organization.

Malaysia has accused Indonesia of sabotaging Kuala Lumpur's bid to have a Malaysian succeed the Thai executive director of the International Natural Rubber Organization. Kuala Lumpur has threatened to abandon the organization if Indonesia continues with its challenge for the post.

Soeharto last visited Malaysia in July 1993 when he held talks with Mahathir in the northern island resort of Langkawi.