MALAYSIA STILL CONSIDERS INDONESIA IMPORTANT NEIGHBOR

Jakarta, April 24 (ANTARA) - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said here on Thursday Malaysia still considered Indonesia an important neighbor although relations between the two countries were not always harmonious.

Therefore, he had decided to visit Indonesia on his first official visit abroad as Malaysia's new head of government, Najib said at a press conference along with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
"I chose Indonesia as the first foreign country to visit because of a number of factors. Not only because of solidarity, historical and cultural factors but also because Indonesia is a very important neighbour," he said.
The Malaysian government, he said, needs to solidify its relations with the Indonesian government in all fields because of the country's role in all aspects of life and its huge population.
"God willing we hope the close relationship at government level could be increased. We also hope it will be a signal for increasing relations at official, private or individual levels including media," he said.
Najib said some media in the two countries still often blew up problems that occured in the two countries."So it is a common responsibility (to maintain the good relations)," he said.
On the occasion he welcomed the bilateral meeting with President Yudhoyono. "I am looking forward to continued cooperation (with Indonesia). President Yudhoyono was also the first head of state who called him soon after he took office. I also expressed appreciation to the welcome given to my entourage," he said.
Prime Minister Najib came to the country on Wednesday for a visit until Thursday. During the visit he was accompanied by ministers of foreign affairs, defense, trade, trasnportation, home affairs, plantations, agriculture and manpower.