RI-Malaysia: Siblings in rivalry

JAKARTA (JP): Despite the brotherly and amiable relationship pursued by Indonesia and Malaysia, President Soeharto's visit to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow comes at a time when bilateral complications are coming to the fore with increasing frequency.

International relations expert Dewi Fortuna Anwar of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences describes the relationship as one of "sibling rivalry".

Because of the history and psychological backgrounds, there is a natural competition which continuously jars behind the scenes, she said.

"The relationship is more intense and volatile than with other states in the region," she told The Jakarta Post.

Dewi explained how one country is often much more susceptible to the actions of the other than it would be to other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Since the formation of ASEAN in 1967, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur have buried the hatchet of "confrontation" and relations have blossomed.

The close ties have not only been based on ASEAN camaraderie, but also on the foundations of ethnic kinship commonly referred to as serumpun.

While it helped progress relations, it has also been a cause of deep-rooted historical suspicion and rivalry.

This kinship has created a perception of Indonesia being the big brother of the two. This psychological complex has led to a sense of competition.

"Malaysia feels that it is competing with Indonesia," assessed Dewi.

Possible evidence of this was the strong competition between the two countries for the chair of the International Natural Rubber Organization.

"Despite overall good relations there are sectoral differences," remarked Dewi.

Researcher Kusnanto Anggoro of the Center for Strategic and International Studies also told the Post of the sequestered problems waiting to burst.

He notes the two countries probably have more bilateral snags with each other than they do with other ASEAN states.

Though Indonesian Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono describes Soeharto's visit as a regular exchange of views, the overlapping claims of the Sipadan and Ligitan Islands will be the highlight of his talks with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Soeharto will be in Kuala Lumpur for two-days accompanied by Foreign Minister Ali Alatas and Moerdiono.

"Sipadan-Ligitan is the most serious dispute. The other problems we can settle," said Kusnanto.

Talks on the dispute have reached a deadlock. A series of joint committee meetings and high-level discussions have all ended in impasse.

Malaysia now wants to take the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Indonesia refuses, contending that the ASEAN High Council, an arbitration body, should be used instead.

Dewi said the use of the Council is unrealistic and if Jakarta has a strong case it should be ready to go to the ICJ.

British international affairs expert Michael Liefer, during a recent visit here, discounted the Council saying it was nothing more than a moral body. He said taking contentious issues to the council would lead to division because ASEAN states are forced to pick sides.

Another ominous issue is the large number of Indonesian laborers in Malaysia. Officials estimate some 1.5 million people are now working there. The presence of so many Indonesians in Malaysia obviously serves to create unending antagonism.

"It gives us a lot of opportunities, but it also creates a lot of problems," Kusnanto said of the feeling of serumpun.

It is thus not surprising that the talks between Soeharto and Mahathir are seen as a periodic "cooling down" mechanism to circumvent the rising tension.

Dewi believes the good rapport between the leaders has helped stifle major problems.

Because of it both countries are now more willing to take heated issues to the public arena. Furthermore as relations mature, the baggage of serumpun will fade, prompting relations to be more business-like.

While relations between Soeharto and Mahathir seems solid, Kusnanto suggests a personal contest may exist between the two.

He said Soeharto, who is more senior, may feel personally challenged in international stature by the more vocal Mahathir.

Unlike Soeharto who adopts a quiet "Javanese" approach, Mahathir is more frontal in his criticisms.

Nevertheless, Kusnanto notes both countries are masters at the art of "conflict avoidance" and both realize that diplomacy is more beneficial than conflict.

As Dewi pointed out, in the end "we know that we can't live without each other." (mds)