BUKIT TINGGI (West Sumatra): Malaysian and Indonesian officials hope the crisp cold air in this resort town in the heartland of Minangkabau will lend its cooling effect to the inaugural annual consultation between the leaders of the two countries today.
Given that several incidents last year – such as the illegal Indonesian workers issue in Malaysia and the disputed oil-rich Ambalat waters off Sulawesi – had strained relations between the two countries, the Indonesian side has expressed hope that the meeting will result in a Bukit Tinggi Declaration to put bilateral cooperation back on track.