KUCHING: Duplication of border claims and protection of Indonesia workers are among the top agenda in the meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Indonesian president Joko Widodo scheduled.
During the 12th Annual Consultation Between Malaysia and Indonesia on Nov 22, the two leaders are also expected to deliberate on transboundary trade activities and the development of tourism sector involving both countries.
Indonesian Consul-General in Kuching, Jahar Gultom, said the four agendas were among the many issues to be raised and looked into by delegates from Indonesia and Malaysia towards increasing the trade value between the two countries.
“The matter (topics to be raised during the meeting by Indonesian delegates) is being handled by the Republic’s Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
“However, we learned that among the topics to be discussed during the meeting included duplication in claims of border territories between Indonesia and Malaysia.
“This issue is a work in progress and still under discussion. If I could recall, there are 19 points of border involving air, land and sea that are being disputed by both countries.
“Other issues expected to be raised included those related to border movement, tourism and protection for Indonesian working here. However, we do not have the details,” he said during a special interview with Media Prima Bhd at the consulate office here recently.
It is also learnt that the two leaders are also expected to discuss on the move by European Union linking palm oil industry with deforestation, which would adversely affect the welfare of 17.5 million and 600,000 smallholders in Indonesia and Malaysia respectively
Najib and Jokowi had previously aired their concern over the move during the Asean-European 40th Commemorative Summit in Manila, the Philippines last week.
Indonesia, he said, is committed in fulfilling the trade value target for Malaysia and Indonesia of USD42 billion, which was announced by Najib during Jokowi’s maiden visit to Kuala Lumpur two years ago.
This is in line with Indonesian government’s “Nawacita” development philosophy, which emphasises on nine principles to stimulate economic growth in Indonesia.
“Over the years, bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia has blossomed and we believed this relationship will grow stronger after negotiations to review the Border Trade Agreement (BTA) and Border Cross Agreement have been finalised.
“These agreements needed to be reviewed since the current BTA (signed in 1970) could no longer accommodate the trade activities between Indonesia and Malaysia,” he said.
Indonesia is Malaysia’s eight largest trading partner with total trade between Malaysia and Indonesia stood at RM57.09bil last year. The total trade for the first five months of this year increased by 38.4 per cent from RM22.92 bil in January to RM31.73bil in May.
Jahar also the relationship between Sarawak and West Kalimantan, which have been nurtured since Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud when he was the Chief Minister have also grown over the years.
“The close cooperation has also contributed to the opening of three entry and exit points between Sarawak and West Kalimantan in Entikong-Tebedu, Lubok Antu-Nanga Badau and Aruk-Biawak,” he said.
The Malaysia-Indonesia annual bilateral meeting is among several agenda line-up during Jokowi’s first visit to Sarawak.
After the meeting concluded, Jokowi is schedule to meet some 6,000 Indonesians working in Sarawak during a special session at Stadium Perpaduan in Petra Jaya near here on the same day.
“The President is also expected to answer several questions from the participants during the special session,” he said.