REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to step up cooperation in the fishery sector in areas such as joint patrol and fishing along the border by fishermen of the two countries.
"We talked about having a bilateral meeting to remove any causes of friction, such as matters related to border issues," Indonesian Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said after receiving Malaysian Agriculture Minister Dato Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek here on Friday.
Minister Susi identified a number of sectors where cooperation would be stepped up through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This would also include exchange of satellite and radar data.
Both sides also discussed the possibility of conducting a joint patrol with Indonesia. It could be with the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) or under the Fishery and Marine Maritime Resources' Supervision.
Susi said she has been invited to attend an international conference on bioprocess and agriculture techniques in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, next November.
Minister Susi explained that in Malaysia, the fishery sector is also under the Ministry of Agriculture.
In the meantime, Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkikli Hasan earlier said he welcomed the wish expressed by Indonesia and Malaysia to increase trade in their border areas.
"As nations of the same stock, Indonesia and Malaysia should support each other," Zulkifli Hasan said while receiving Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia, Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, at the Parliament building here on Tuesday.
Zulkifli said he stays abreast of the political dynamics in Malaysia, expressing the hope that the Malaysian people would remain united.
"Political egoism should not be at the cost of the Malaysian people and nation. The country should continue to maintain its political stability because otherwise it could harm the interests of the people and the state," he said.
Zulkifli, who is also the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), said as they come from the same (Malay) stock, both countries should lend support to each other.
If they have any problems between themselves, they should discuss it like brothers.
The MPR Speaker said the two countries' relationship goes back a long way in history. Therefore, both should support each other and share the good things.
"Both the countries should study their respective strengths. Indonesia should also understand Malaysia, particularly with regard to its indigenous people, " he said.
According to Zulkifli, Malaysia's policy on indigenousness was able to eliminate social gaps, and helped place the Malay people on an equal footing with those of other ethnic groups.
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