JAKARTA: Malaysia and Indonesia will begin a new chapter of diplomatic ties as Indonesia’s president-elect Joko Widodo takes his oath of office on Monday, witnessed by world leaders including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Having enjoyed almost 60 years of bilateral relations, this would be the first time Malaysia sees the inauguration of a president who did not come from either Indonesia’s military or political elite.
However, political observers believed this ‘breath of fresh air’ in Indonesia’s democracy would benefit Malaysia in the long run, as both leaders share the same aspiration.
“Both the president and prime minister share the same vision and aspiration, which is to put the people first,” said National Professor’s Council (NPC) political cluster secretary Prof Datuk Halim Sidek.
He said the 7th Indonesian president, who is popularly known as Jokowi, and Najib should take the opportunity to further strengthen the ties, which have been one of the most important bilateral relationships in the Southest Asian region.
“Jokowi had once said that he would fight for the people and he would improve Indonesia’s basic infrastructure. His vision is no different than Najib’s.
“Based on these similarities, Najib and Jokowi should now work hand in hand to work out pending issues that somehow have affected our ties in the past years,” he said.
NPC head Prof Datuk Mustafa Ishak said Najib’s presence at Jokowi’s inauguration ceremony would give the impression that Malaysia values its close neighbour.
“It is important for Malaysia to maintain cordial relationship with Indonesia despite ups and downs,” he said.
He pointed out that outstanding issues such as illegal immigrants, haze and domestic workers, must require a series of discussions between the two leaders.
“It is vital for Jokowi and Najib to have direct contact and good relationship, especially since both are Asean members,” he said.
Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, together with the Malaysian official delegation would attend Jokowi’s inauguration ceremony, which would take place at People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), here.
Najib will be joined at the ceremony by other world leaders such as Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
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