Stepping up bilateral ties

Stepping up bilateral ties

The high priority that Malaysia gives to relations with our ASEAN partners is reflected in the Prime Minister's visit to Indonesia, the second leg of his ASEAN tour, the first being Brunei Darussalam last month.

There are no long-standing problems that needed to be resolved by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Jakarta, with the possible exception of the issue of Indonesian migrants.

Which is why the Prime Minister and President Megawati Soekarnoputri are determined to reach agreement on signing a memorandum of understanding on the recruitment of Indonesian workers as soon as possible. As long as Malaysia remains a source of employment, Indonesians will continue to enter the country looking for work, even if the Indonesian economy continues with its recovery.

There is therefore a need to reach consensus on the terms of a comprehensive bilateral arrangement that will effectively address the problem of illegal workers and immigrants because it is clear that despite the signing of the 1996 MOU and the 1998 Exchange of Notes, the problem persists. The direct and personal line of communication that has been opened between Abdullah and Megawati, and their active interest in the matter, indicate that the elusive solution which would satisfy both countries would soon be found.

The Prime Minister's visit shows that despite the cordial bilateral ties, the historical and cultural linkages, and the strong economic recovery of both countries since the 1997 financial crisis, both Putrajaya and Jakarta are not content to allow relations to remain within this comfort zone. Both countries can be expected to continue to explore ways to enhance two-way economic relations within the intra-regional ASEAN mechanisms, as well as within the overlapping inter-regional and international institutions.

Since there is a strong link between economics and security, there is a need to step up bilateral co-operative efforts to combat international terrorism and transnational organized crime, such as piracy and arms trafficking, because these have emerged as the major threats to regional stability and prosperity.

-- New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur