VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Chairman Bambang Soesatyo put forth the suggestion to establish a world Muslim consultative assembly association, especially for member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

"We hope the MPR RI and Shura Council of Saudi Arabia would be the pioneers," Soesatyo noted in a statement received in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Soesatyo along with several vice leaders of MPR, Hidayat Nur Wahid, Ahmad Muzani, Jazilul Fawaid, Arsul Sani, and Fadel Muhammad had paid an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

In the company of Indonesia Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Agus Maftuh Abegebriel, the leaders met King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, chairman of Shura Council Muhammad Ibrahim al-Sheikh, as well as General Secretary of World Muslim League, and other stakeholders.

The official government visit between the two countries, including inter-parliamentary visits, is a form of good diplomacy and can intensify relations between both leaders to implement all the inked partnership agreement, Soesatyo stated.

Responding to the suggestion, Ibrahim al-Sheikh welcomed it as part of parliamentary diplomacy to bolster partnership relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

The MPR RI was urged to formally put forth its suggestion to form the world Muslim consultative assembly association through a written proposal, so it can later be followed up by the Shura Council of Saudi Arabia.

The Council is the Saudi Arabia parliament institution, with some 150 members of experts and senior figures inaugurated by the King, of which 30 are women.

Its authority encompasses giving suggestions to the King and his ministers, review and interpret the laws, as well as improve the laws and international contracts.