Backbone of the Region

AFP/ISTANA KEPRESIDENAN/LAILY RACHEV

This handout photograph released by Indonesia's Presidential Palace and taken on November 10, 2021, shows Indonesian President Joko Widodo (R) and Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yakoob (L) gesturing as they pose for photographers during a bilateral meeting in Bogor, West Java.

The Republic of Indonesia and Malaysia are the backbone of stability in Southeast Asia. Relations between the two countries determine the condition of the region.

Indonesian vice president from 2009 to 2014, Boediono, when giving a speech at a university in Australia in 2013 said, "We can choose our friends, but we can't choose our neighbors." The statement illustrates that the presence of a country as a neighbor cannot be changed. This means that Indonesia cannot reject countries as its neighbors.

The only thing we can do is to choose: keep quarreling or keep looking for common interests and build close relationships for a common long-term goal. Boediono made the statement in the context of the dynamics of Indonesia-Australia relations. Their relationship is sometimes heated, but often quite harmonious as well.

The two countries have much in common, while there have been many events that have made citizens of both countries look at each other with suspicion.

The statement "we can choose our friends, but we can't choose our neighbors" can also be applied in the context of Malaysia-Indonesia relations. The two countries have much in common, while there have been many events that have made citizens of both countries look at each other with suspicion.

The proof is that Indonesians will easily mention issues that make them less happy with Malaysia: maritime borders, migrant workers, to claims for cultural products, such as food or dance. On the other side of the coin, Malaysians also find it easy to remember things that make them shun Indonesia, such as the haze from the land fires many years ago. Such is neighborly life. Precisely because the two countries are so close together, things easily appear and turn to pebbles.

AFP/ISTANA KEPRESIDENAN/LAILY RACHEV

This handout photograph released by Indonesia's Presidential Palace and taken on November 10, 2021, shows Indonesian President Joko Widodo (R) and Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yakoob (L) gesturing prior a bilateral meeting in Bogor, West Java.

However, this situation does not change the close relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia. Both share the same culture. The majority of the population of both countries also adheres to Islam.

Together with Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines, the two countries joined hands to establish ASEAN in 1967, even though several years earlier, Indonesia-Malaysia relations were hot. Indonesia was of the view that Malaysia as part of a new colonial power wanted to survive in Southeast Asia. After 1965, the situation changed drastically. Malaysia and Indonesia are friendly.

The stable condition of Southeast Asia after ASEAN was established cannot be separated from the solid relations between Indonesia and Malaysia. There have infrequently been pebbles, but not to the point of substantially disturbing their closeness.

The state visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to Indonesia and his determination in ensuring that his country strives to provide the best service for migrant workers from Indonesia is quite a relief. The issue of migrant workers is so sensitive that Malaysia should pay great attention to their welfare.

Beyond that, Southeast Asia faces big challenges due to US competition with China. The end of this episode will be a part to be determined by how Putrajaya and Jakarta manage their relationship. The good and strong relations between Malaysia and Indonesia will always determine the face of the region.

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).