RI's new envoy vows to boost economic ties with Thailand
This year Indonesia and Thailand are celebrating 55 years since the formal establishment of diplomatic ties on March 2, 1950. On this occasion, The Jakarta Post's Novan Iman Santosa interviewed Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand Ibrahim Yousuf, who submitted his credentials to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej on March 7, 2005. The following is an excerpts of that interview, which took place in Bangkok.
Q: As a new ambassador, what is your first priority?
A: I will focus on economic and trade issues to help improve our economy. Thailand has a total investment (in Indonesia) of 22 billion baht (US$564 million) and if we can improve that amount, of course it can help reduce unemployment in Indonesia.
On the other hand, Thailand has a some $1.7 billion trade surplus with Indonesia, from a total trade of about $5.5 billion. Most of the surplus comes from rice and sugar exports.
I will offer leading Indonesian products such as airplanes and train cars, and their spare parts, to Thai businesspeople.
Thailand has acquired seven airplanes from state-owned aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia, which are currently being used to seed clouds.
I will offer them more planes. The Thai Royal Navy is interested in buying CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft for their patrol activities.
We also have just secured a contract to supply spare parts (for airplanes). It was not a large deal, but if we can accumulate smaller transactions of course it will improve the trade balance.
But the balance is getting better each year.
As for trains, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is embarking on a megaproject, so let's see if we can supply train cars to them. Actually, state-owned train manufacturer PT INKA has signed a contract to supply train cars, but the contract was canceled. I will do my best to get it back on track. Are there any other fields that need improvement?
We will improve our current cooperation in the education sector, especially exchanging students and lecturers to conduct joint research in nanotechnology. Thailand is a step ahead of Indonesia in this field owning to a national center, while in Indonesia research is scattered about in various institutions.
There have been offers from various universities in the southern part of Thailand to cooperate with Indonesian universities. The universities are Hatyai, Nakhon si Tammarat and Prince of Songkhla. They are offering cooperation in agriculture, Indonesian studies, medicine and tourism.
Hatyai, for example, is offering nursing training courses in cooperation with the University of North Sumatra.
I am also encouraging more cooperation between Indonesian and Thai provincial administrations to form sister province relations. What about tourism?
A: Phuket Air just launched on March 28 a direct flight three times a week from Bangkok to Denpasar. The airline collects tourists from European countries who want to visit Bali, and the other way around.
They suggested that Bali and Phuket for a cooperation in tourism.
We are also exploring the possibility of opening a ferry service linking Belawan Port in North Sumatra to Hatyai, although it doesn't have a port. But we can use the nearby Thai port of Sathum. Are there any stumbling blocks to bilateral relations?
We still have to settle the issue of an exclusive economic zone in the northern part of the Strait of Malacca.
There are also problems with Thai fishing boats operating in our waters. I will not call it illegal fishing, but they are operating with improper documents. They only bring photocopies of the documents, but they need to carry the original licenses at all times.
Our Navy is getting tougher on them, so we have to settle this amicably.
I believe that when we have problems we should sit down and have a talk, and not let things escalate into open conflict.
Recently, the Thai government invited Hasyim Muzadi, the chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, to visit the troubled southern part of the country. Do you believe such a visit can help solve the problems there between the government and the Muslim population?
The problems in the south are very complex. We cannot solve them in a day. The most important thing is that Pak Hasyim's views can be the basis for a long-term solution.
The most important part of his visit was helping to create an understanding of Islam. Once this understanding is established, we can plan other steps.
We are also encouraging the Thai government to abandon violence or a security approach, and look for a more comprehensive approach incorporating education and economic incentives.
Currently, the education system in the south focuses more on Islamic religion, without giving students the skills to enter the workforce. This has left them unable to compete in the Thai labor market.
The Muslims in the south need to be integrated into Thai society by changing their perception of being Muslim Malays in Thailand to being Muslim Thais.