Short-sighted relationship
Thursday, September 6, 2007
WILL there be another episode of konfrontasi (confrontation), at least in the mild sense of the meaning of the word, between Indonesia and Malaysia? Will ganyang Malaysia (crush Malaysia), the declaration made in the 1960s by Sukarno while the relationship between the two countries was hostile, be heard again?
Those sentiments are likely to reappear unless the government of Indonesia in particular takes immediate policy action to control what many see as growing anti-Malaysian sentiment here.
Malaysia-Indonesia relations have taken a very sharp turn recently, particularly after seeming to be at the peak of cordial relations, as the two countries faced what many referred to as "classic problems". The issue of the border dispute as well as Indonesian workers in Malaysia seem to have been part of and continued to be part of the topics discussed by the officials of both countries whenever they meet. The latest incident that many fear will effect Indonesia-Malaysia bilateral relations is the alleged assault by Malaysian police on an Indonesian karate referee, and this has added to a long list of issues faced by the two countries.
The public reaction here to the attack on the Indonesian referee varied — and to some degree were rather irrational, ranging from calls to boycott Malaysian products to demands that Indonesia sever it diplomatic relations with Malaysia. The Indonesian parliamentary speaker joined the anti-Malaysia furore, asking Vice President Jusuf Kalla not to attend Malaysia's independence anniversary celebrations, which Kalla defied.
It is a political reality that Malaysia is Indonesia's immediate neighbour and will be forever. One sees the fact that both have intensive bilateral contacts, perhaps much more intensive compared to Indonesia's contacts with other members of Asean.
As neighbours, sometimes they have problems. Disagreements, if not contests in the real meaning of the word, often occur between the two countries as a result of a clash of ideas or opinions. The current situation reflects such a perspective.
There are two dimensions to Indonesia-Malaysia relations, namely confrontation and collaboration. Confrontation refers particularly to the era when Indonesia showed a strong resistance to the establishment of the Malaysian Federation. In the context of current Indonesia-Malaysia relations, confrontation can be interpreted as a bold challenge or disagreement over certain issues.
As we observed, Indonesia and Malaysia have from time to time been involved in a "hostile" disagreements face to face, either on territorial issues or issues related to migrant workers. So here we see that even close neighbours cannot avoid such turbulences in their bilateral relations.
Both countries, however, have maintained their cordial relations by initiating collaborative efforts in tackling acute regional security problems. They share a perception that regional as well as bilateral issues in which the interests of both countries are at stake need to be solved through collaborative efforts. This is the second dimension of Indonesia-Malaysia bilateral relations.
The question one may ask is why "turbulences" in Indonesia-Malaysia relations occur so often at a time when the political elites, particularly from Indonesia, claim that good relations exist between the two countries at all levels (Saudi Press Agency, Aug 17).
The experience of konfrontasi may have been one of the factors that contributed to the current state of Indonesia-Malaysia relations. Furthermore, the fact that Indonesia and Malaysia share a common geographical situation has made it difficult for one to understand their relations only from the rational aspects. Economic as well as cultural linkages have, to some extent, emotionally effected the political relations between Indonesia and Malaysia.
In describing Indonesia-Malaysia relations, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda was reported as saying that he would not liken it to that of siblings, with one being younger or older, as both countries were on an equal footing (http://www.spa.gov.sa). Such an observation, however, negated the self-perception that Indonesia is a "big brother" and thus feels at leisure to initiate whatever policy it thinks is necessary. It seems as if Indonesia always feels itself to be greater than its neighbours.
Sadly, however, its greatness has not developed in line with its degree of maturity as a big nation (Bandoro, forthcoming 2007). Indonesia often exhibits childish gestures toward its neighbours, particularly when its political desires are met with resistance. The call for a boycott of Malaysian products reflects such a gesture.
It has been stated above that Malaysia will be our neighbour forever and Indonesia's bilateral relations with Malaysia will continue to be emotional in nature. The only way the two countries can avoid turbulence in their relationship is for Indonesia to behave in such away so as not to appear as if it is acting as an "older brother" of Malaysia.
Malaysia also needs to recognise the reality that Indonesia is its number one neighbour, whose interests need to be appreciated on all levels in Malaysia. There is too much at stake and Indonesia and Malaysia cannot be short-sighted in their relationship.
The writer is chief editor of The Indonesian Quarterly published by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. He is also a lecturer in the International Relations Postgraduate Studies Programme at the University of Indonesia, Jakarta
The Jakarta Post/ANN
Those sentiments are likely to reappear unless the government of Indonesia in particular takes immediate policy action to control what many see as growing anti-Malaysian sentiment here.
Malaysia-Indonesia relations have taken a very sharp turn recently, particularly after seeming to be at the peak of cordial relations, as the two countries faced what many referred to as "classic problems". The issue of the border dispute as well as Indonesian workers in Malaysia seem to have been part of and continued to be part of the topics discussed by the officials of both countries whenever they meet. The latest incident that many fear will effect Indonesia-Malaysia bilateral relations is the alleged assault by Malaysian police on an Indonesian karate referee, and this has added to a long list of issues faced by the two countries.
The public reaction here to the attack on the Indonesian referee varied — and to some degree were rather irrational, ranging from calls to boycott Malaysian products to demands that Indonesia sever it diplomatic relations with Malaysia. The Indonesian parliamentary speaker joined the anti-Malaysia furore, asking Vice President Jusuf Kalla not to attend Malaysia's independence anniversary celebrations, which Kalla defied.
It is a political reality that Malaysia is Indonesia's immediate neighbour and will be forever. One sees the fact that both have intensive bilateral contacts, perhaps much more intensive compared to Indonesia's contacts with other members of Asean.
As neighbours, sometimes they have problems. Disagreements, if not contests in the real meaning of the word, often occur between the two countries as a result of a clash of ideas or opinions. The current situation reflects such a perspective.
There are two dimensions to Indonesia-Malaysia relations, namely confrontation and collaboration. Confrontation refers particularly to the era when Indonesia showed a strong resistance to the establishment of the Malaysian Federation. In the context of current Indonesia-Malaysia relations, confrontation can be interpreted as a bold challenge or disagreement over certain issues.
As we observed, Indonesia and Malaysia have from time to time been involved in a "hostile" disagreements face to face, either on territorial issues or issues related to migrant workers. So here we see that even close neighbours cannot avoid such turbulences in their bilateral relations.
Both countries, however, have maintained their cordial relations by initiating collaborative efforts in tackling acute regional security problems. They share a perception that regional as well as bilateral issues in which the interests of both countries are at stake need to be solved through collaborative efforts. This is the second dimension of Indonesia-Malaysia bilateral relations.
The question one may ask is why "turbulences" in Indonesia-Malaysia relations occur so often at a time when the political elites, particularly from Indonesia, claim that good relations exist between the two countries at all levels (Saudi Press Agency, Aug 17).
The experience of konfrontasi may have been one of the factors that contributed to the current state of Indonesia-Malaysia relations. Furthermore, the fact that Indonesia and Malaysia share a common geographical situation has made it difficult for one to understand their relations only from the rational aspects. Economic as well as cultural linkages have, to some extent, emotionally effected the political relations between Indonesia and Malaysia.
In describing Indonesia-Malaysia relations, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda was reported as saying that he would not liken it to that of siblings, with one being younger or older, as both countries were on an equal footing (http://www.spa.gov.sa). Such an observation, however, negated the self-perception that Indonesia is a "big brother" and thus feels at leisure to initiate whatever policy it thinks is necessary. It seems as if Indonesia always feels itself to be greater than its neighbours.
Sadly, however, its greatness has not developed in line with its degree of maturity as a big nation (Bandoro, forthcoming 2007). Indonesia often exhibits childish gestures toward its neighbours, particularly when its political desires are met with resistance. The call for a boycott of Malaysian products reflects such a gesture.
It has been stated above that Malaysia will be our neighbour forever and Indonesia's bilateral relations with Malaysia will continue to be emotional in nature. The only way the two countries can avoid turbulence in their relationship is for Indonesia to behave in such away so as not to appear as if it is acting as an "older brother" of Malaysia.
Malaysia also needs to recognise the reality that Indonesia is its number one neighbour, whose interests need to be appreciated on all levels in Malaysia. There is too much at stake and Indonesia and Malaysia cannot be short-sighted in their relationship.
The writer is chief editor of The Indonesian Quarterly published by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. He is also a lecturer in the International Relations Postgraduate Studies Programme at the University of Indonesia, Jakarta
The Jakarta Post/ANN
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