Anwar Ibrahim Asks For Opposition Not To Politize RI-Malaysia Relations

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with President Jokowi/PHOTO via Instagram @anwaribrahim_my

JAKARTA - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim asked the opposition not to politicize relations between Indonesia and Malaysia.

"Regarding relations with Indonesia, I explain. For me, we should not politicize. The interests of Malaysia-Indonesia relations, one group, the majority of Muslims, about culture, education, economy, trade, investment, we must increase all of that," Anwar said in a hearing at the Parliamentary Session in Kuala Lumpur as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 13.

Anwar said that in the last six months he had communicated with President Joko Widodo who welcomed the increase in relations between the two neighboring countries.

Jokowi, according to him, acknowledged that relations between the two countries could still be improved for strategic, economic, cultural and Islamic interests, the two friendly countries.

"So I don't think we should underestimate this," said Anwar, answering questions from a member of parliament who asked about the cooperation, especially what would be done for the good of the people of the two countries.

However, he said the increase in Malaysian-Indonesian relations would not sacrifice the interests of the border.

In connection with the resolution of border issues in Sabah, around Sebatik Island, he said it was not only the Fellowship Government that would negotiate with Indonesia, but also representatives of Sabah Country.

According to Anwar, the resolution of border issues with Indonesia is carried out comprehensively. Not only a small number of them involved the border in Sabah which they did not agree with.

"In terms of our experience with Thailand, we finally agreed to the 'win-win joint development authority'. But Sebatik Island has not yet reached that," he said, answering the question of former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who was in an opposition to the government.

In border negotiations with Indonesia, Anwar admitted that he would first resolve matters that had agreed to the two countries, while small things that had not been approved were suspended by the signing of the agreement.

"But don't sacrifice bilateral relations. This government and I are based on continuing to think that Indonesia is a friendly country and we must increase cooperation in all fields," said Anwar.

During President Joko Widodo's visit to Malaysia on June 7-8, several border negotiations were reached, including negotiations on territorial sea boundaries in the Sulawesi Sea and in southern Malacca which were believed to have been achieved after negotiations had been running for 18 years.

Jokowi hopes that other border negotiations, including on land, Sebatik and Sinapad, can also be completed soon.

The discussion on the achievement of negotiations on the boundaries of the two countries became a hot topic raised by the opposition at the Malaysian Parliament hearing on Tuesday morning.