Improvement cooperation in economic and cultural is to strengthen bilateral relations of Indonesia and Malaysia; it is submitted by Chairman of DPD RI Irman Gusman in the conference with Malaysian Ambassador H. E. Dato’Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin Bin Syed Hassan at 8^th floor, Nusantara III Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday (22/02). In the conference Irman is accompanied by Parlindungan Purba, Senator of DPD from North Sumatera.

According to Irman, Indonesia and Malaysia have ties of kinship with each other in which both countries have the same historical roots, culture and civilization. This kinship ties should be the potential of its own for relation of both countries. But lately the relationship of the two countries is a little heat over such cases as Malaysia’s claim on Pendet Dance, Reog Ponorogo, and the song called Rasa Sayange, Ambalat issue and Indonesian Workers (TKI) that have many problems in Malaysia.

Problems that hamper the relations between the two countries all this time should be resolved immediately, said Irman. Considering that much potential which can be explored in depth to create a better relationship, and enhance mutual beneficial cooperation to achieve the welfare of its community.

Chairman of DPD considered that it needs to increase the partnership between the two countries to develop cooperation of trade and investment, and other economic cooperation. To enhance the investment cooperation of two countries should be held regulatory which could facilitate the activity of foreign investor, mainly originating from Malaysia. And vice versa, the Malaysian government needs to seek ease regulation for Indonesian investors who invest in Malaysia. In addition it needs to reform the bureaucracy to create the investment climate should be pursued by both countries.

In the field of culture, Irman assess that the bad relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia due to cultural claim is a misunderstanding. “The misunderstanding between cultures can be reduced if both parties know and understand and practice the principles of intercultural communication”, he added.

On the same occasion Dato’Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin says that TKI issues become one of problem that should be solved together. He also criticized the rumors of TKI in Malaysia by Indonesian pers. “the Indonesian pers should not inform a problem in a piece”. According to him Indonesia and Malaysia need to reform the regulation of sending Indonesian workers (TKI) in Indonesia. He also mentioned that more than 2 million workers (TKI) who were in Malaysia, half of them were illegal.

Responding to the Indonesian workers (TKI) problems, Chairman of DPD also stressed that the government must act decisively by making memorandum of understanding correction between Indonesia and Malaysia regarding of transmission of workers. In addition, there are the closer cooperation and coordination between Indonesian government and Malaysia as well as Service Company of placement workers (TKI).

Bagikan