RI-Malaysia: Siblings in rivalry

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)