P

resident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his speech on Sept. 1 reaffirmed that Indonesia would use diplomacy to address its current dispute with Malaysia. This is a wise decision. Diplomacy is still the best option at the moment.

It upholds not only the values of our active and independent foreign policy but also the principles of the peaceful settlement of disputes as enshrined in the UN Charter and the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC). Article 2 of the treaty says that parties to the treaty shall be guided by the principles of settling differences or disputes by peaceful means and renouncing the threat or use of force.

In the long run, however, there remains much to be done in nurturing the relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia. The current situation warrants a deep look at how relations between the two countries have evolved so far and how we would like relations to proceed in the future.

One of the greatest challenges of such an exercise is how to turn the potential of bangsa serumpun (nations with the same kinship) into a working maxim that will guide both nations at all levels to embrace an attitude of solidarity, rather than a “you against me” attitude.

There is no doubt that both nations share the same history, cultural roots and ethnicity. In pre-colonial times, the flow of people between the Malay Peninsula and Nusantara, especially Sumatra, took place without regard to borders.

They used bahasa Melayu as a lingua franca when interacting for commercial purposes. The present Malaysian sultans can be traced to the old Sumatran kings through a long process of history and heredity. The Malaysian community is currently comprised of not only indigenous people and people of Indian and Chinese origins but also those whose forefathers originated from Java, Madura, Sulawesi, and, of course, Sumatra.

There are many practical ways to promote solidarity between the two nations. The tenor of pronouncements by the leaders of both nations comprising the Indonesia-Malaysia brotherhood remains critical. Strict restraint from both sides in making any statements that could diminish the spirit of brotherhood is also important. Regular joint television programs that promote shared values will surely help. This is where the private sector and civil society can play a role. Joint projects by historians from both sides to chronicle shared historical narratives are encouraged.

At the frontiers, it is critical that border authorities from both sides hold on to the spirit of brotherhood and the principles of peaceful settlement of disputes in dealing with border issues.

The spirit of brotherhood should also be reflected in the ways we treat each other on a daily basis, especially at the societal level where the urgency is now dire.

As both nations embrace a sense of solidarity, they will treat each other as saudara (brothers and sisters). They will pursue jalan persaudaraan (the way of brotherhood) on the basis of understanding and compassion in tackling an issue, rather than through punitive measures.

Thus, we can imagine that if solidarity prevails, the recent incident that involved Malaysian fishermen and authorities from both sides would have quickly been resolved without any repercussions at the societal level on both sides.

Should jalan persaudaraan overcome justice? In the dispute caused by the capture of the Malaysian fishermen by the Indonesian coast guard officials who were themselves then arrested by Malaysian authorities, justice would mean a decisive solution acceptable to both parties. Such a solution can be obtained by a clarity of focus in the dispute. This is why Yudhoyono underlined the importance of expediting negotiations on border issues between the two countries.

In the case where clear borders have been attained and violations have been verified, peaceful settlement of disputes, which include jalan persaudaraan, should remain at the forefront.

The spirit of bangsa serumpun should become a critical element in Indonesia-Malaysia diplomacy. It should help cement a stronger bond between the two countries.

A robust and cordial relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia is pivotal not only for both nations but also for ASEAN, and the we-ness between the two nations is of utmost significance to the realization of the ASEAN Community. Without Indonesia-Malaysia solidarity, there will never be ASEAN solidarity.

The writer is a Fulbright alumni.