Indonesia-Malaysia bilateral ties remain strong -- Sri Mulyani

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- Indonesia and Malaysia continue to enjoy strong bilateral ties amid a dynamic and global scenario underpinned by the commitment towards cooperation in various sectors said Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

Diplomatic ties between both neighbouring countries, which were established since 1957, have led to numerous benefits and mutual assistance especially in the area of regional peace and stability.

“I’m confident that the bilateral ties will be continually renewed and recharged through joint commitment in the spirit of unity and stability,” she said.

She was speaking at Malaysia’s 65th National Day celebrations reception cum 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties, hosted by the Malaysian Embassy in Kuningan on Wednesday night.

Sri Mulyani expressed hope that Malaysia will extend its support to Indonesia as ASEAN chair in 2023 and in hosting the 17th G20 Summit of Heads of State and Government on Nov 15th and 16th in Bali.

Mulyani, who was former managing director and chief operating officer of the World Bank described Malaysia as Indonesia’s second largest trading partner and eighth largest investor in 2021.

In the tourism sector, she is optimistic that both countries would be able to promote strong tourist arrival numbers which had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Both countries are actively working together to improve connectivity through the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT GT) mechanism which was established in 1993 and the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA), she added.

-- BERNAMA