More importantly, and in the context of our presence in Jakarta and other important cities in Indonesia, we celebrate the establishment of our official diplomatic relations immediately after Malaysia gained its independence on Aug. 31, 1957.

Historically, our relations with Indonesia can be traced to as far as the 7^th century when both countries were part of the ancient empires and kingdoms of Majapahit, Aceh, Srivijaya and Johor-Riau. Some of the ethnic groups, including Minang, Bugis and Javanese had migrated to the Malay Peninsula and formed significant communities in modern day Malaysia.

The shared history results in many similarities between Malaysia and Indonesia, be them in religion, culture, history and language. These commonalities facilitate unique sociocultural relations, and allow for a special relationship often referred to as serumpun (kinship). We see each other as our closest friend, a strategic partner and an important neighbor.   

Bilateral ties have continued to be fundamentally strong. Our cooperation with Indonesia continues to expand, generating greater trust and mutual benefits for both countries. There is strong commitment on both sides to further strengthen our relations at every level and in all fields.

This has been demonstrated through active engagements between both sides, where high level exchanges continue to shape the framework for Malaysia-Indonesia relations moving forward.

As leaders of both countries provide a sound framework for the relations to prosper, economic cooperation has greatly benefitted both sides. Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at US$16,805 billion in 2019. Indonesia is currently Malaysia’s ninth-largest trading partner and the third largest among ASEAN countries. Malaysia is the fifth-largest investor in Indonesia with investment over $15 billion in areas such as banking, plantation, construction, toll-road, transportation, food industry, chemicals, oil and gas, energy, as well as telecommunications.

The strong participation of Malaysian companies signaled Malaysia’s keen interest to continue investing in Indonesia, which is underpinned by the confidence in the country’s economic trajectory and reforms initiated by President Jokowi’s administration, especially in improving bureaucratic effectiveness for investors.

Notwithstanding the advanced economic cooperation, challenges continue to be aplenty. One of the more current challenges that we face together is on the increasingly disturbing discrimination against palm oil. Insofar, Malaysia and Indonesia, as the world’s leading crude palm oil producers and exporters continue to cooperate through the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), oftentimes sharing the same voice in fighting discrimination against palm oil.

This is an area where our commitment will not waver, especially for the benefit of our peoples whose livelihood depends on honest businesses, such as palm oil plantations. Our close cooperation in this particular area is also replicated in other areas, including transnational crime, terrorism and disaster management, among other things.

To illustrate, we are quick to extend humanitarian assistance to each other in the face of tragedy. For instance on MH370, Indonesia offered its assistance in the search and rescue (SAR) mission. Similarly, Malaysia mobilized its assets in the SAR mission of the earthquake and tsunami in Palu, Central Sulawesi. These show the fondness that we always have toward each other when times are hard. The ties between Malaysia and Indonesia have remained strong and we believe will continue to stand the test of time.

Malaysia and Indonesia share extensive land and maritime boundaries. While disputes over the land and maritime boundaries continue to linger, engagements to resolve these issues have always been in a friendly and peaceful manner with the aim to ensure mutual benefits to both countries. A significant achievement is marked by the technical teams’ agreement on the settlement of four out of nine outstanding land boundary problems and two joint proposals in the Sulawesi Sea and Strait of Malacca that have proved the commitment of both sides to achieve an amicable solution.

Being one of the founding members, ASEAN remains the cornerstone of both Malaysia and Indonesia’s foreign policy. Our close relations have ensured and contributed significantly to the regional stability, peace and ASEAN Community. We also work closely in various regional and international organizations.

Malaysia and Indonesia are two recognized Muslim countries globally. We share similar challenges in fighting the threat of extremism and Islamophobia. We have the same voice in championing Palestinian rights and the rights of other Muslim minorities across the world. Malaysia and Indonesia are both modern, progressive, and yet we still maintain our Islamic virtues and values.

In the face of new challenges created by the global COVID-19 outbreak, both foreign ministers have continued to collaborate closely, bilaterally and within the framework of ASEAN in addressing the impact of the pandemic. At the same time, due to travel restrictions and reduced frequencies of flights, the governments and embassies of both countries have assisted stranded citizens of both countries to return home to their loved ones.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged both Indonesia and Malaysia, it has strengthened our resolve to work together, bilaterally, and also within the ASEAN framework. Malaysia will continue to work hand-in-hand with Indonesia to revitalize both countries’ economies, including the previously booming tourism industry now adversely affected by the pandemic. Talks on a travel bubble remain on the immediate agenda of both governments.

Malaysia believes in a win-win collaboration and the larger concept of gotong-royong. While the governments may have countless agreements and memoranda that seek to strengthen our cooperation through bilateral mechanisms, we value greater activism and participation of the people on both sides to seek and further promote mutually beneficial collaboration.

Today, after 63 years of building relations, we wish to cement our engagements with greater success in the future, thus fulfilling the hopes and dreams of our peoples.

 ***

The writer is ambassador of Malaysia to Indonesia.