REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KUALA LUMPUR -- Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi has said Indonesia wants to increase the number of tourist visits from Malaysia as that will enhance the cooperation between both countries.

"Malaysia is one of Indonesia's important partners among ASEAN nations. Besides increasing investments, Malaysian tourist visits to Indonesia in large numbers will support the relationship," Retno stated here on Thursday evening (Feb 5).

The Minister noted that Indonesia and Malaysia, which are cognate countries, will improve their relationship and cooperation.

President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana are on a state visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Malaysian King Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah and Queen Haminah Hamidun. They also attended a dinner hosted at the State Palace of Malaysia.

"This year, Malaysia is the ASEAN chair. Many issues have been discussed in order to strengthen our friendship and cooperation," Retno observed.

Retno added that the two state leaders have also discussed ways to develop cooperation in the trade and labor sectors.

"We will follow up the discussion with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. The total number of Malaysian tourists visiting Indonesia has reached 1 million people per year," the Minister pointed out.

According to Retno, Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair has an important role to play in the development of the region.

"As Malaysia is considered the closest to Indonesia geographically, we need to enhance the relations between both countries," Retno remarked.

The high-ranking officers who are accompanying Jokowi on the two-day Malaysian visit include Coordinating Minister for Economics Sofyan Djalil, Labor Affairs Minister Hanif Dzakiri, Trade Affairs Minister Rahmat Gobel, and the Head of the Agency of Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers Nusron Wahid.

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