Indonesia and Malaysia are two neighboring countries in South East Asia that have lots of similarities.
The majority population in both countries speak languages that are similar i.e. Indonesian and Malay, have the same religion i.e Islam, and share arts, culture, dishes that are quite similar.
Further, both countries are founding members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) which is getting solid after ratification of the Asean Charter on December 2008, which will be followed by the creation of an Asean Political-Security, Economic and Sosio-Cultural Community in 2015.
In the '70s, many Malaysian came to study in various universities in Indonesia, and many Indonesian Teachers and Lecturers, Medical Doctors, Engineers were sent to Malaysia.
But now the condition is different, most Indonesians who go to work in Malaysia are low educated people who work as maids or similar jobs. Although there many others who go to Malaysia for business, study, vacation and medical check-up.
Relationship between the two neighbors have often been disturbed by bad treatment of Indonesian workers in Malaysia, misunderstandings about ownership of works of arts (i.e batik, dances), or border dispute (i.e the Ambalat water), all of which were settled amicably between both of them.
The latest dispute was caused by the arrest of three patrol officers of the Indonesian Maritime and Fishery Ministry (KKP) by Malaysian Police, following the arrest of seven Malaysian fishermen by KKP patrol on sea north of Bintan Island on 13 August.
This case is rather confusing, because each of them have their own versions of what happened that day.
The KKP alleged that three of their officers were arrested on board the fisherman's boat on Indonesian territory, thus the Malaysian Police have tresspassed our border.
While the Malaysian Police alleged that KKP patrol intercepted the fisherman's boats on Malaysian teritory, then took seven fishermen to Indonesian teritory after the Malaysian Police came, leaving behind the three KKP officials behind on board the fisherman's boat.
After negotiations between the Indonesian Foreign Ministry and their Malaysian counterpart, the three KKP officers, and the seven fishermen were released on Tuesday 17 August.
For details, please read the following articles :
- Arrests at Sea Raise Tensions With Malaysia
- 7 Fishemen kidnapped in Riau
- Petugas KKP Dibebaskan Polisi Malaysia
- 7 Nelayan Malaysia Dipulangkan
18 comments:
A touchy issue. But a real very sensible, informative and factual post.
To me it seems that the relation between Malaysia and Indonesia resembles the antagonism and rivalry which sometimes occurs between close relatives. Both governments have a duty to do their utmost to curb nationalistic emotions. Because these petty skirmishes are a waste of energy and should not develop into some kind of bloodshed.
[(By the way: as far as I know only 60% of the population of Malaysia practices Islam. 20% is Buddhist and another 20% has an other non-Islam religion, 10% of them being Christians ( in Indonesia that is about the same percentage)]
Hi Colson,
Yes governments of both countries should work together to maintain good relationship.
Actually many of "disputes" were small things but exaggerated by the very liberal media in Indonesia. The worst thing is that most of said media are only after money, by exploiting people's sympathy and anger, and seldom cover both sides of the story.
Re: Moslem in Indonesia around 80%
thank sob
MERDEKA!!! MERDEKA!!!
Mas Kholiq,
Terima kasih atas kunjungan dan komentar anda
If I may quote one of P. Ramlee's evergreen song: 'Sedangkan lidah lagi tergigit...'
Misunderstandings, difference of opinion and viewpoints, happen even between the best of families. But the good news is, we are still good friends, and I pray that we will remain good friends forever.
Hi Ismail/Passionate Blogger,
Thank you for dropping by.
I like your quote of P. Ramlee's song 'Sedangkan lidah lagi tergigit' so I want to repeat :
'Misunderstandings, difference of opinion and viewpoints, happen even between the best of families. But the good news is, we are still good friends, and I pray that we will remain good friends forever'.
H,
Thank you for your visit and information. I will visit your site later.
Compared to those what had happened between other neighbouring countries like India and Pakistan, Korea Republic and Korea DPR amongst many others, the face-off between Indonesia and Malaysia is considered very peaceful.
I don't agree if this slightly agitated disagreement escalates into an open war between the two nations. But my stance is distinct, that in every disagreement with other countries (not only with Malaysia) we cannot be too soft that we are like a dupe for our own weaknesses and for our own negligence...
Hi Yari,
I agree that disputes between Indonesia and Malaysia are soft compared to disputes among other countries you mentioned.
In this case the govt and people of Indonesia should always take more care of our lands/waters by naming all the islands we have, maintain our arts/cultures, improve training for workers who will be sent abroad,
etc.
good an nice information about malaysia and indonesia and compare between them.countries should see similarity than different.
also thanks for your comment .hope keep in touch in future also
Dahstar,
Thank you for your kind words.
Yes, neighboring countries should always remember similarities between them and not their differences.
padahal tetanggaan. tapi kok seneng banget bikin ribut
Tukang CoLoNG,
Terima kasih atas komentarnya.
This morning the government was clearly mention their insistence by SBY but again the implementation is quite often drift off compare with reality.
Boyin,
The government's anger is a political move to show that they are doing something about it.
First Marty Natalegawa said the KKP officers were treated properly, thus same as what those officers told TVOne.
But after wards he said that they were treated harshly and made an official complaint letter.
Even we are neighbourhood but Malaysia must show their respect to our country, that's happen because our government never make a real act to malaysia
the conflict seems to be neverending within this neighbourhood. we have things in common, so let's make things up all together...
@Munir Ardi,
The govt don't want to act because they actually they don't want to.
We better our head cool and work hard to develop our country so that we can be a stronger country
and other countries will have more respect on us.
@Edwin,
I agree with you, rather than exposing differences which are not clear, much better if we get along with Malaysia.
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