Exclusive interview: Jokowi's wish list to bring M'sia-Indonesia ties to people-to-people level

Joko Widodo who is fondly known as Jokowi said that the ties between the rakyat from both countries are the diplomatic link of Malaysia-Indonesia bilateral ties.

“We wish for our diplomacy to not be limited to merely elite diplomatic but one that will benefit the people, and this is paramount. This relationship is not just limited between the elite groups or between the ministers. No, what we aspire to formulate so that the inter-relationship between the rakyat can be materialised.

“Communication is crucial as we must realise that we are brothers from the same root,” said Jokowi during an exclusive interview with Astro AWANI Executive Editor Kamarul Bahrin Haron aired over Astro’s Channel 501 on Thursday.

Jokowi, during the interview repeatedly stressed that the rakyat from both countries must benefit and placed as utmost priority in any decisions made by their respective governments.

“Talks between governments are happening and maybe at this point in time, talks are taking place between industries but the fruits of the labour must be returned to the rakyat.

“In order to strengthen diplomatic ties, there should be a communication network. Inter-cities communication, inter-capitals or inter-federals, there should be a credible communication network. We too, have the abundance of the maritime, or the sea, and this network is able to create the Malaysia-Indonesia link as well as Singapore as well ASEAN countries, to name a few.

Secondly, communication is crucial and the people should get involved in the communication to support ASEAN's policy to open its economy, which allow the people to get involved in this sector,” said Jokowi, who kicked off his three-day visit on Thursday.

He also touched on people economies which need to be generated particularly between Malaysia and Indonesia so that the rakyat from the grassroots will be able to reap the benefits.

“Economic issues must be strengthened, which means trade between Malaysia and Indonesia must be strengthened first for the benefit of the rakyat.

“The policies that will be formulated in the future must be of top-notch qualities for both the rakyat of Indonesia and Malaysia. My visit to PROTON (on Friday) is hoped to generate Indonesia-Malaysia cooperation, particularly for the automobile vehicle,” he added.

The Surakarta-born leader also reiterated that diplomacy can be formulated with seamless cultural exchange between Malaysia and Indonesia.

“Cultural exchange must touch the rakyat and in Indonesia, for instance we have been privileged to watch popular cartoon characters in the form of Upin dan Ipin and Malaysia’s No.1 singer (Datuk) Siti Nurhaliza and Malaysian audiences on the other hand, are able to enjoy the music and vocals prowess of Indonesia’s Kris Dayanti.

“After this, this existing crop of talents will be replaced by other talents and the cultural exchange I’m talking about will presumably involve 10 or 20 people, so is our traditional dance as a tool for cultural exchange.”

During the interview, the 53-year-old leader also said that there should be transparency between the two countries in resolving issues.

“Perhaps issues can be solved by calling for meetings – formal or informal – or if we can’t meet or make calls, I believe all are easily communicated and discussed. We are from the same grassroots, don’t blow any issues out of proportion and let the goodness prevail,” he said.