NAJIB, JOKO TO DISCUSS BORDER CLAIMS
Also on agenda are protection of Indonesian workers, trade and tourism
DUPLICATION of border claims and protection of Indonesian workers will be among the top agendas in the meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
During the 12th Annual Consultation between Malaysia and Indonesia today, the leaders are also expected to deliberate on transboundary trade and the development of the tourism sector in both countries.
Indonesian Consul-General in Kuching Jahar Gultom said the issues were among many to be raised and looked into by Indonesian and Malaysian delegates to increase trade value between the countries.
“The matter (topics to be discussed by Indonesian delegates) is being handled by the republic’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
“Duplication in claims of border territories between Indonesia and Malaysia will also be discussed.
“This is work in progress and under discussion. If I recall, there are 19 disputed air, land and sea border points.
“Other issues to be raised include border movement, tourism and protection for Indonesian workers in Malaysia. We do not have more details,” Jahar said during a special interview with Media Prima Bhd at the consulate office here recently.
It is learnt that the leaders are expected to discuss the European Union’s claim that the palm oil industry was linked to deforestation. The claim would affect the welfare of 17.5 million and 600,000 smallholders in Indonesia and Malaysia respectively.
Najib and Joko previously aired their concerns on the claim during the Asean-European 40th Commemorative Summit in Manila, the Philippines, last week.
Jahar said Indonesia was committed to fulfilling the US$42 billion (RM173.7 billion) trade value target between Malaysia and Indonesia, which Najib announced during Joko’s maiden visit to Kuala Lumpur two years ago.
This was in line with Indonesia’s “Nawacita” development philosophy, which emphasised nine principles to stimulate economic growth in the country.
“Over the years, bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia has blossomed, and we believe this relationship will grow stronger after negotiations to review the Border Trade Agreement (BTA) and Border Cross Agreement have been finalised.
“The agreements need to be reviewed as BTA (signed in 1970) can no longer accommodate trade between Indonesia and Malaysia,” Jahar said.
Indonesia is Malaysia’s eight largest trading partner, with total trade at RM57.09 billion last year. Total trade for the first five months of this year increased by 38.4 per cent from RM22.92 billion in January to RM31.73 billion in May.
Jahar said the relationship between Sarawak and West Kalimantan, which had been nurtured since Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud was chief minister, had grown over the years.
“The close cooperation has led to the opening of three entry and exit points between Sarawak and West Kalimantan in EntikongTebedu, Lubok Antu-Nanga Badau and Aruk-Biawak.”
After the Malaysia-Indonesia meeting, Joko, in his first visit to Sarawak, will meet 6,000 Indonesian workers in the state during a special session at Stadium Perpaduan in Petra Jaya, near here, the same day.
“The president is expected to answer questions from participants during the session,” Jahar said.