JAKARTA: The University Of Indonesia (UI) has expressed its preparedness to help in the setting up of a Malaysia-Indonesia joint committee to preserve and rebuild a better bilateral ties between the two countries.
The joint committee, which will comprise academicians, members of the media, non-governmental organisations and government’s representatives from both countries, is expected to play a more effective role in solving any bilateral issue between Malaysia and Indonesia.
UI Dean of Faculty of Humanities Dr Bambang Wibawarta said he had proposed the setting up of the committee to Malaysia’s Minister of Information, Communication and Culture Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
Bambang said he believed that the committee would create a synergy for the establishment of an accurate information exchange network that would help preserve harmonious ties among the people.
“In the joint committee, we can sit together and try to find the solutions about many issues concerning Malaysia and Indonesia,” he told reporters after meeting the Malaysia-Indonesia Journalists Friendship Alliance (Iswami) delegation at the UI campus in Depok yesterday.
Malaysia’s Iswami delegation was led by its chairman Datuk Ahmad A Talib. Present were his deputy Datuk Chamil Wariya and Information Department director-general Ibrahim Abdul Rahman.
Bambang said the close relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia which had existed since a long ago must be preserved as it comprised various important aspects and differed from the relationship Malaysia or Indonesia would ever forge with other countries.
“The relations with other countries are probably limited to trade or economy, but the relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia covers not only that, but also in the aspects of cultural, social and defence.
“The close relationship between the two countries had also brought success to Asean. When Malaysia and Indonesia are on good terms, Asean will continue to prosper,” he said.
He also believed that the opinions from the proposed members of the committee would not only help in preserving the good relationship, but would also bring the relationship to a greater height. — Bernama