Malaysia Believes No Third Party Needed to Face Indonesia

KUALA LUMPUR, KOMPAS.com - Malaysia and Indonesia are capable of resolving whatever issues that crop up through bilateral discussions without third-party intervention, said Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.

"So far, we are able to sit down together and discuss ways to find the most amicable solution," he said when approached by reporters after attending the 53rd Merdeka celebration at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil, here Tuesday.

Anifah, who was asked to comment on several issues involving Malaysia and Indonesia, said the current conflict between the two countries could be resolved through the Asean spirit. Being neighbours, he said Malaysia and Indonesia had many similarities and shared benefits in various aspects.

An organisation known as the People’s Democratic Front (Bendera) recently staged a demonstration and hurled human faeces within the grounds of the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta and planned to oust Malaysian nationals from Indonesia. Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr Marty Natalegawa was reported to be visiting Malaysia on Sept 6 to meet Anifah and discuss the incident on the demonstration besides other bilateral matters.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said diplomatic channels between Malaysia and Indonesia should be used in the best manner so that the close relations between the two countries could be maintained. Using the diplomatic channels would be able to prevent any group who tried to jeopardise the cordial relations between the two neighbouring countries, he said.

Matters that touched on border issues would always crop up but they could be resolved amicably through wisdom and the maturity of the leaders of the two countries.