In the event at the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, embassy officials introduced Zainal to the public as a diplomat with 31 years of experience.

Zainal was Malaysian ambassador to the Czech Republic from 2009 to 2013 and to Spain from 2017 to early 2019. He served as the ministry's director for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and of regional cooperation from late 2013 to 2017.

Malaysia named Zainal ambassador-designate to Indonesia in March this year, replacing Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, who ended his five-year tenure in 2018. Zainal is to present his credentials to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo soon.

From the podium during Wednesday's event, Zainal greeted his guests, mostly Indonesian journalists, and revealed his five-point "plan of action" to improve what he described as "very romantic" bilateral ties.

"There is tide; there is ebb. There is laughter; there are tears. But, quoting Buya Hamka: There are no tangles that will not be untangled; there is no murk that will not be cleared," Zainal said, referring to a renowned Indonesian Muslim scholar and literary figure.

As neighbors, Indonesia and Malaysia have seen ups and downs in their diplomatic relations, which were often hindered by issues concerning migrant workers, borders and transboundary pollution.

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