A Developed And Progressive Malaysia Augurs Well For Indonesia

By N.Syamsuddin Ch. Haesy N.Syamsuddin Ch.Haesy, an editor for several influential newspapers and online media in Indonesia, a communication lecturer for institutions and departments and a commentator on Indonesian politics, shares his thoughts on Malaysia's independence. JAKARTA, Aug 26 (Bernama) -– While Malaysia celebrates its 59th Merdeka (Independence) Anniversary on coming Wednesday Aug 31, its rapid development, and the peace and stability it enjoyed over the years augured well for its neighbour Indonesia as well as the other nations in the region. A peaceful and progressive Malaysia has impacted positively Southeast Asia especially in the political, economical and security realm. Indonesia in so far viewed Malaysia as a successful developed nation with a visionary and sustainable leadership. Its development efforts through various mammoth projects has attracted about two million Indonesians and several more million from Bangladesh and Vietnam to the country. For these foreign workers, Malaysia is their dream destination in finding work and remitting their earnings. In 2015, Indonesian workers remitted a whopping Rp32 trillion (US$2.41 billion) from Malaysia. That’s not all, Indonesia views Malaysia with a population of 30 million as an important trading partner and the second biggest investor in Indonesia with investments reaching US$20 billion (RM80 billion) with the figure expected to increase to US$30 (RM120 billion) in 2020. Malaysia has invested in numerous sectors in Indonesia - agriculture (food crops and plantations), banking and finance, transportation, telecommunication, oil and gas, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, construction, automotive and tourism. Independence enabled Malaysia to set its own future course. Malaysia developed comprehensively, proudly fulfilled independence with development, enhanced competitiveness and maintained its sovereignty. Malaysia-Indonesia relations have become more cordial since 2014. The Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta has taken proactive steps to step up bilateral relations. Malaysian diplomats, right from the ambassador to the lower rung staff, have been communicating politically, socially and culturally. The communications highlighted the fact both nations share many similarities, yet they are sovereign nations on their own right. Malaysian Ambassador in Jakarta Zahrain Mohammed Hashim often times reminded that both sides have to work hard to boost Malaysia-Indonesia relations. The cordiality have to be established at five levels - among top leaders, governments, armed forces, businesses, and people to people level. In enhancing the relationship, the keywords are the will and ability in fostering understanding between the peoples of both sides. This has to be conducted continuously because there are times when the relations are interrupted by social-political upheavals or situations at both sides. One of the things that anyone has to understand is that both nations have their own administrative and legal system, though historically, socially, and culturally the peoples of both sides have common origins. Malaysia and Indonesia as sovereign nations could play a strategic role as two of the superpowers in Southeast Asia. In the religious context, Malaysia and Indonesia are nations with big Muslim populations. Unity in the context of Islam between both nations could create a unique national character. In the language context Malaysia and Indonesia share the common lingua franca, Malay. Therefore, the world class Malay language has to be worked out by both sides, especially when looking at the fact the language is used by 350 million people in the region. Moreover, language represents the people. Working together Malaysia and Indonesia could promote moderate Islam, peace and tolerance that will contribute immensely to regional security and the world. The other current matters that should be given priority is to make sure the younger generation understand history better and that the independence did not come on a silver platter. Though there are matters and developments that offend the sentiments and emotions, Malaysia and Indonesia have to maintain eternal friendship and relationship. Look at the many similarities we share and lets appreciate them together. Dirgahayu Malaysia! Happy Independence Anniversary 2016. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA