Indonesia's Visit To Malaysia Results 6 MoUs, Including Sulawesi Sea Territorial Limits After 18 Years Of Negotiations

President Jokowi (left) and Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim (backright) witnessed the exchange of memorandum of understanding documents at the First Series complex, Malaysia, Thursday (8/6/2023). BETWEEN/HO-BPMI Setpres

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo's official visit to the First Series, Putrajaya, or the office complex of Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim resulted in the signing of at least six memorandums of understanding aka MoU.

Citing a statement from the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, the six of them included the first MoU on the Cross-Border Agreement signed by the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) of the Republic of Indonesia Tito Karnavian with the Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Saifuddin Nasution.

The two MoUs on the Border Trade Agreement signed by the Indonesian Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan together with the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia Tengku Zafrul Aziz.

Furthermore, two MoUs regarding the border, namely the Sea Boundary Agreement for the Southern Segment of the Malacca Strait as well as the Sea Boundary Agreement for the Sulawesi Sea Segment which was signed by the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Retno Marsudi and Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato Seri Diraja Zambry Abdul Kadir.

The fifth Mou on Investment Promotion Cooperation was signed by the Minister of Investment/Head of the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia with the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia Tengku Zafrul Aziz.

Then the sixth MoU on Halal Certification was signed by the Head of the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJH) of the Indonesian Ministry of Religion Muhammad Aqil Irham together with the Chairperson of the Malaysian Islamic Progress Steering Committee Datuk Hakimah Mohd Yussof.

President Jokowi specifically appreciated the border negotiations that had been reached, including territorial sea boundaries in the Sulawesi Sea and southern Malacca Strait, which were finally achieved after negotiations lasted for about 18 years.

"After 18 years of negotiation process, 18 years old, it can be completed, this is Alhamdulillah, thanks to the Prime Minister of Series Anwar Ibrahim who worked quickly assisted by ministers," Jokowi said at a press conference with PM Anwar broadcast on the YouTube channel of the Malaysian TV3 Bulletin television station, Thursday, June 8, which was confiscated by Antara.

Meanwhile, PM Anwar said that the achievement of the six MoUs was proof that President Jokowi's arrival was not merely a work visit between two leaders of the country alone, but the arrival of a true family or friend.

"Because I consider President Jokowi to be a true friend, and our negotiations are family negotiations, friendly negotiations. This is proven by increasing cooperation and understanding in this short period of extraordinary time," said Anwar.

Furthermore, PM Anwar also mentioned that there was cooperation between the Malaysian Royal Police (PDRM) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) as well as between the Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Defense Minister Dato Seri Mohamad Hasan.

"Although it is not recorded in the understanding, the cooperation between the two parties has reached a very proud stage and will provide facilities and benefits, not only to the government and the kingdom, but also to the people of Malaysia and Indonesia," he said.