Malaysia-Indonesia ties ride on a new wave under Ismail Sabri

In a short span of 12 months since he took office as the ninth prime minister of Malaysia, Ismail Sabri's efforts have been nothing short of encouraging.

Efforts to open a new chapter for both neighbouring countries commenced with his maiden visit to Jakarta in his official capacity as PM on November 10, 2021, with a meeting with President Joko Widodo.

"To us, Indonesia-Malaysia relations, which are likened to sibling relations, have been handled by PM Ismail very well so far and the peoples of both countries continue to enjoy strong ties," remarked political and communication analyst Hendri Satrio when commenting on the ties which spanned 65 years.

Negative sentiments surfaced for a while when Indonesia halted the entry of its people to Malaysia in July following a remark by Malaysia about its sources of labour from 15 countries to choose from but the whole issue was amicably resolved, he noted.

Now, with all misunderstandings clarified and cleared, Satrio, who is with Paramadina University in Jakarta, observed that "Indonesia has a very friendly relationship with Malaysia at the moment."

He was commenting on Ismail Sabri's performance since he took up the helm of leadership in Malaysia in August 2021.

The Malaysian-Indonesian Journalists' Association (ISWAMI) also recognised the new leader's commitment to improving bilateral ties.

Its president Asro Kamal Rokan commented that, in maintaining political harmony in Malaysia, Ismail Sabri held an added advantage as a leader who kept to his promises.

"Having been appointed as a PM during unstable political conditions during which the country witnessed a change in PM three times within three years, Ismail Sabri is now a year into his role with a relatively stable political situation.

Asro also admired his determination to make Malaysian Journalists' Day (HAWANA) a success following a meeting with 17 editors of key Indonesian media houses last year.

"That promise was fulfilled by the Prime Minister in Melaka on May 29 this year."

The following day, Asro and 15 other senior editors and ISWAMI management were invited to a luncheon with Ismail Sabri in Putrajaya where they were feted to some "durian diplomacy".

Meanwhile, Charge d'affaires of the Malaysian Embassy in Indonesia Adlan Mohd Shaffieq said Ismail Sabri's two visits to Jakarta within a span of four months have lifted the relationship to a higher level.

Under Ismail Sabri's helm, the long-delayed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the placement and protection of Indonesian domestic workers was finally inked.

"His visit to the Indonesian military equipment production facility PT Pindad in Bandung last year has been instrumental in bilateral defence cooperation for which an MoU was signed last week."

Malaysia-Indonesia bilateral ties have flourished in key sectors namely economic, education, health, and tourism, as well as tackling the negative narrative towards palm oil.

"The good ties between both countries will enable companies in Malaysia to make inroads in Indonesia and vice versa," he added.