VIVAnews - Indonesia and Malaysia are now amidst the escalating tension affecting the political relations of both countries. Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs is ready to issue a travel advisory for the citizens of Malaysia who are willing to visit Indonesia.
The conflict is triggered by the arrest of three officers from the Indonesian Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Agency by Malaysian sea patrol in Tanjung Berakit waters, Bintan, on August 13, 2010. The Indonesian officers were arrested soon after the Indonesian authorities detained seven Malaysian fishermen who allegedly entered into the Indonesian territories illegally.
Indonesia is furious upon the action. Protests are held everywhere in the country.
Yesterday, protesters demonstrated before the offices of two top Malaysian companies that are situated in Jakarta: Petronas and CIMB Bank.
In August of last year, the relations between the two countries heated up as Malaysia claimed of having a number of the Indonesian cultural heritage including the Pendet Dance of Bali.
However, the commercial cooperation of Indonesia and Malaysia is far more improved as Malaysia has expanded in various strategic sectors in Indonesia such as telecommunication, oil and gas, plantation, banking, aviation.
Here are some Malaysian companies that have broadened their businesses in Indonesia:
1. XL Axiata Tbk XL Axiata, known as XL, is the third top cellular operator in Indonesia after PT Telkomsel and PT Indosat. The majority of XL's shares is owned by Malaysia-based teleco company Telekom Malaysia (TM) International Berhad through Indocel Holding Sdn Bhd (83.8 percent) and Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) through Etisalat International Indonesia Ltd (16.0 percent).
2. CIMB Niaga CIMB Niaga is a joint bank as a result of the merger between Bank Lippo and Bank Niaga. The shareholders include CIMB Group Sdn Bhd at 56.1 percent; Santubong Ventures Sdn Bhd at 16.65 percent; Greatville Pte Ltd at 2.58 percent.
3. Air Asia Air Asia expands its business in Indonesia by providing flights on many strategic routes in Indonesia.
4. Petronas Petronas has been exploring oil and gas in Indonesia for quite some time. It has also developed a network of fuel sales through several fuel stations that it has.
5. Kumpulan Guthrie Berhad Kumpulan Guthrie has acquired hundreds of thousands of hectares of plantation in Sumatra belonging to Salim Group.
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