VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno L.P. Marsudi and Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Diraja Zambry Abdul Kadir held a bilateral meeting in Jakarta (29/12). Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in an online press conference said that Malaysia is an important and strategic partner for Indonesia.

According to her, Malaysia is not only a close neighbor, but also an allied nation. Foreign Minister Retno also said that the trade relations between the two countries have great potential to be improved.

"We agree that the room for increasing trade and investment relations between the two countries is still wide open. Therefore, we agree to increase trade and investment cooperation efforts, among others by strengthening sea and air connectivity through the Dumai-Malacca economic corridor and Kualanamu Airport. I also proposed the importance of increasing interaction between our private sector by revitalizing the Indonesia-Malaysia Business Council. The second thing I conveyed was regarding the protection of Indonesian migrant workers," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Besides that, in a meeting with the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi also conveyed the importance of protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers which is one of the priority issues for Indonesia's foreign policy.

Foreign Minister Retno also said it was important to uphold the law against any bad treatment or criminal acts committed against Indonesian workers to show a sense of humanity, a sense of justice. The importance of fulfilling the rights of Indonesian workers, including their financial rights. The importance of fulfilling the right to education and health services, including for the children of migrant workers.

Meanwhile, on the other hand the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Dato' Seri Diraja Zambry Abdul Kadir who also attended the Press Conference conveyed the importance of cooperation for ASEAN countries to help Myanmar resolve its domestic problems.

"The resolution of the United Nations Growth Safety Assembly in December 2022 is important in efforts to support and ASEAN's main role in finding a safe resolution to the situation in Myanmar. Malaysia and Indonesia fully support the five-point agreement reached during ASEAN leadership regarding Myanmar. ASEAN will also continue to work with the people of Myanmar in dealing with the situation in that country,” said Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Diraja.

In addition, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Diraja also congratulated Indonesia on advancing gloriously for the management of ASEAN in 2023. Malaysia is confident that under Indonesia's leadership, ASEAN will continue to make progress in fostering a community that is more secure, integrated and sustainable for the benefit of the ASEAN people. (VOI)