Shah Alam - Malaysia and Indonesia need to look at the bigger picture in bilateral relations as both countries have the potential to further develop together, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tub Razak.
He said this could be helped by the fact that the people of both countries were compatible as they shared the same language, culture, history and religion and even looked similar physically, while their leaders had the same aspirations for the people.
Najib was speaking at the opening of the three-day Malindo (Malaysia-Indonesia) Dialogue 2008 organised by the Malaysian Youth Council and Indonesian National Youth Committee, here tonight.
He said Malaysia was the biggest investor in Indonesia in 2006 with investments worth RM8.4 billion, while Malaysian investors were encouraged to have genuine Indonesian partners, for instance, in setting up business ventures or developing plantations, and not as sleeping partners.
At the same time, he added, Malaysia also encouraged Indonesian businessmen to invest in Malaysia, adding that the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Kuala Lumpur was owned by an Indonesian investor.
Najib said besides investments, Malaysia and Indonesia could also enhance cooperation in tourism -- from Bali to Langkawi and from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta -- which had a lot of potential.
Najib said both countries should have openness in the appreciation of each other`s culture, like music and songs, but "we should not allow a popular folk song like `Rasa Sayang` to sour our relations", referring to the recent controversy over the origin of the song.
He said the mass media should not blow up problems between the two neighbouring countries where the Indonesian media, being more open and free, had been treating Malaysia as their favourite "whipping boy".
"This will not benefit anyone," he said, adding that he wanted to see Malaysia-Indonesia relations reach the pinnacle of cordiality.
Najib said although there were those who said that the relations based on the people being of the same stock was no longer relevant, both sides should not question this basis as it was of no benefit.
"Therefore, to preserve our good relations, the younger generation of both countries must understand and appreciate our similarities since time immemorial."
Najib said both gained from the presence of Indonesian legal migrant workers in Malaysia, with the country being able to implement the development projects and the more than one million Indonesian workers able to remit money home to help their families.
He said Malaysia treated cases of Indonesian maid abuse like that of Nirmala Bonat`s seriously, with the offenders taken to court.
"There were also several cases of crime such as house break-ins committed by Indonesian nationals and they too had to face the law.
"But we must not allow such incidents to affect our relations. As the Malay adage goes, `one should not burn the mosquito net just because of one mosquito`.
"We shed tears together in fighting for our independence from the colonial masters and quite recently when the tsunami hit Aceh, where Malaysia also contributed millions of ringgit to help the victims."
He said where Malaysians and Indonesians competed, like in sports, they should behave like gentlemen.
Najib said tonight`s function was nostalgic to him as a founder of the series of dialogue between Malaysian and Indonesian youths and still on after 20 years.
Also present were Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Source : www.bernama.com.my (8 Januari 2008)
