Jakarta - THE 37th Malaysia-Indonesia General Border Committee (Malindo GBC) meeting today in Jakarta is significant as Malaysia will be represented for the first time by a defence minister who is also the prime minister.
It will also be 22 years since Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi jointly chaired the meeting -- the first time that a defence minister represented the country -- with the then Indonesian armed forces chief.
Prior to that, Malaysia had always been represented by the home minister.
For Indonesia, its armed forces chief has been representing the country from the beginning until its defence minister took over in 2005.
Since its first meeting in Parapat, Medan, Indonesia, in 1972, the Malindo GBC has helped solve many issues along the 1,000km common border, including thwarting security threats and smuggling activities.
In many instances, it has also effectively contained border-related disputes from developing into a crisis between the two countries.
Better security along the border has also helped spur economic activities in small towns, particularly in the Sabah-East Kalimantan and Sarawak-West Kalimantan areas.
Malaysian armed forces chief Jen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal, who jointly chairs the high-level committee with his counterpart, Jen Djoko Santoso, said the Malindo GBC had achieved its purpose of helping to develop better understanding and cooperation between the two countries.
"It began with the agreement to end confrontation on Aug 11, 1966. Now, it has become an important platform to help foster better cooperation, not only in security but also the socio-economic aspects," he said.
Apart from organising joint excercises between the two armed forces, Aziz said the Malindo GBC had also helped in the setting up of two common posts in Malaysia and another two in Indonesia which can be used by soldiers from both sides.
The fifth common post was opened in Seliku, Sabah, yesterday.
"We have proposed to Indonesia to have the sixth post in their area and they are now identifying the most suitable location for the facility which can be used by soldiers from both countries," he said.
The four common posts that have been set up are in Biawak and Lubuk Antu (both in Sarawak), Simanggaris (East Kalimantan) and Entikong (West Kalimantan).
During the meeting today, joint chairmen Abdullah and Indonesian Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono will be briefed on Malindo GBC initiatives.
Aziz, however, stressed that overlapping territorial claims such as the Ambalat issue would not be discussed as it would be handled by a technical committee.
The dispute over the Ambalat petroleum exploration block in the Sulawesi sea surfaced last year after the national oil companies of both countries awarded oil and gas concessions that overlapped.
Aziz said after the meeting today, both chairmen would sign an agreement to allow the use of the airspace near the common posts without seeking diplomatic clearance.
Before this, any aircraft that planned to enter the territory of the neighbouring country had to get diplomatic clearance which normally take two weeks.
"It is a hassle particularly when it involves disaster relief and humanitarian aid efforts," he said.
Abdullah is also scheduled to meet Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Source:
http://www.nst.com.my (December 11, 2008)