Sarawak minister: Dialogue key to resolving issues with Indonesia (VIDEO)

KUCHING, Aug 27 — Sarawak's Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, emphasized that dialogue and engagement are crucial in resolving issues with neighboring Indonesia, as opposed to allowing matters like the haze crisis to escalate into conflict. He referred to the Malaysia-Indonesia Peace Agreement of 1966, which ended the Indonesian Confrontation through dialogue, diplomacy, and a willingness to seek common ground.

Abdul Karim highlighted that this approach, rooted in sincerity and a desire to find shared ground, remains pertinent in addressing current issues between Sarawak and Indonesia, including recurring haze incidents.

He explained that while in many countries problems such as these might lead to war, Sarawak chooses to resolve its differences amicably. Abdul Karim stated that Sarawak has been actively collaborating with the Indonesian government to combat fires in West Kalimantan that contribute to the haze affecting the state. He stressed the importance of peaceful resolution, given the strong historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties between communities on both sides of the Borneo border.

Abdul Karim pointed out that Malaysia and Indonesia have evolved from a period of confrontation to cooperation and mutual respect over the past six decades, working together in various fields such as trade, tourism, education, culture, security, and people-to-people relations. Specifically, he noted Sarawak's close ties with Kalimantan through practical cooperation, including energy and humanitarian assistance.

For instance, Sarawak is now exporting electricity to West Kalimantan, and the state's energy company is also supporting the new Indonesian capital, Nusantara, with electricity.

He also recalled Sarawak's humanitarian assistance to West Kalimantan during the Covid-19 pandemic when the state supplied oxygen to hospitals during oxygen shortages. Abdul Karim highlighted that the Malaysia-Indonesia Peace Agreement of 1966 symbolized a decision by Malaysia and Indonesia to start anew and look forward. He paid tribute to the servicemen from Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, and Gurkha who served in Borneo during the Confrontation, including those who lost their lives.

The Minister concluded by acknowledging the significance of the veterans present at the memorial, which served as a powerful reminder of the progress made in Malaysia-Indonesia relations. He urged younger generations to learn from the 1966 agreement by emphasizing the importance of reconciliation and peaceful conflict resolution. Abdul Karim called on both nations to continue strengthening ties and to view borders as bridges, fostering cooperation and friendship rather than division.