Yusril: Strong RI-Malaysia Ties Foundation for Multisector Cooperation

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra has stated that the good relations between the leaders of Indonesia and Malaysia serve as a vital foundation for strengthening cooperation across various fields. “Indonesia and Malaysia are two kindred nations with a long-standing friendship,” Yusril said in Jakarta on Tuesday. During a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya on Monday, Yusril conveyed warm greetings from President Prabowo Subianto and expressed appreciation for the willingness to receive the visit amidst a packed state agenda. He noted that the relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia is built not only on geographical proximity but also on historical, cultural, and fraternal ties as kindred nations. Indonesia is therefore committed to continuing close cooperation with Malaysia in facing common challenges, ranging from citizen protection and handling transnational legal issues to strengthening institutional cooperation based on openness, mutual trust, and a spirit of brotherhood. Several issues were briefly discussed, including a draft agreement on prisoner transfers between the two countries, which is to be signed soon. The draft has been jointly discussed by Malaysia’s Home Ministry and Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections. In the draft, the Malaysian government initially requested that granting clemency, such as remission, amnesty, and abolition, to repatriated Indonesian prisoners must involve and require the consent of Malaysian authorities. However, the minister stated that Indonesia rejected this, asserting that such matters are the full responsibility of the Indonesian government. Conversely, for repatriated Malaysian prisoners, their rehabilitation is the obligation of the Malaysian government, including the authority to grant clemency, amnesty, or abolition. The minister noted that his ministry has been proactive in its duties regarding prisoner transfers, having already returned many foreign prisoners to their home countries, and that it is now time for the Indonesian government to discuss the repatriation of its own citizens imprisoned abroad. The meeting at the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office was also attended by Deputy for Legal Coordination Nofli, Deputy for Immigration and Corrections Coordination I Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram, and Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Mohammad Iman Hascarya Kusumo. Malaysia’s Home Minister Dato’ Sri Saifuddin Nasution, Attorney General Dato’ Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, and officials from the corrections and foreign ministries were also present.