VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam have committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields. One of these commitments is realized through the bilateral visit of Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Brunei Darussalam, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to Indonesia on 2-4 May. The 29th Sultan Brunei is scheduled to meet the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo on Thursday, May 3 at the Bogor Palace, West Java. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told media crew on Wednesday, May 2 in Jakarta that the bilateral meeting will discuss efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, especially the protection of Indonesian Citizens (WNI).

“Firstly, of course still talk about the economy, there is a trade, there is investment and so forth. The second is people to people contact in the sense that the number of citizens who live Brunei Darussalam is about 80,000 people. Well 80,000 out of 400,000 Brunei Darussalam residents means that 20 percent of the population of Brunei Darussalam is Indonesian citizens. So protecting Indonesian citizens who live there is also very important thing for Indonesia,” Retno Marsudi said.

Retno Marsudi further added that currently Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam are preparing a memorandum of understanding or MoU related to the placement and protection of Indonesian Workers (TKI). However, according to Retno Marsudi, the memorandum of understanding will not be signed in this bilateral meeting. It is expected that a memorandum of understanding that has entered the finalization stage can be signed by both countries at the next bilateral meeting in the near future. In addition to discussing the strengthening of bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, Indonesia will also offer its strategic industries to Brunei Darussalam. (VOI/Rezha/AHM)