JAKARTA, June 28 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto have expressed strong commitment to accelerate strategic cooperation in various fields including joint development in the maritime border area of Malaysia and Indonesia in Ambalat in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner.
In a joint press conference after a bilateral meeting at Istana Merdeka here yesterday, Anwar said both countries should consider economic cooperation including in the maritime border area that benefits the people.
“If there is still a deadlock in negotiations regarding principles, regulations, and laws, then there is no obstacle for us to accelerate economic cooperation — including what Prabowo mentioned earlier about the joint development authority.
"Even in the case of the Ambalat area, if we wait for a final resolution, it could take another two decades. So let’s make use of this time to produce results that benefit both countries and safeguard the interests of our people in a region that is quite far from the border,” Anwar explained.
He was commenting on Prabowo's statement that both countries should speed up the resolution of technical issues related to borders and maritime.
"Regarding the border issue, which may take time, we agreed to find a mutually beneficial solution. For example, in the Ambalat region, while waiting for the legal settlement, we want to start economic cooperation through a joint-development mechanism,” said Prabowo.
The two leaders also stressed their commitment to increase cooperation in the fields of research, education, culture, trade and investment in an uncertain economic environment due to the tariffs imposed by the United States.
Anwar and Prabowo also agreed to hold the 13th Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Consultations next month.
Touching on the Myanmar issue, Anwar said Malaysia was determined to resolve the dispute amicably and was supported by Indonesia, which has experience and expertise in conflict management.
“We also expressed concern about the border issue between Thailand and Cambodia and felt it was necessary to approach both countries to ease tensions,” said Anwar.
Anwar, who was in Jakarta on a one-day official visit, was accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz; Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir; Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil; and Plantations and Commodity Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Anwar and the delegation returned to Kuala Lumpur from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta around 5pm local time after the meeting with Prabowo.
— Bernama
