Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A member of the House of Representatives of the Democrat Party faction, Sutan Bhatoegana, praised President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s decision to place diplomacy first in dealing with problems with Malaysia.

"If we are waging a war, all of us will suffer," he said here on Wednesday night.

President Yudhoyono at the Indonesian National Defense Forces headquarters in Cilangkap delivered a speech to respond to the recent problems facing relations between Indonesia and Malaysia. According to Sutan, the governments of Indonesia and Malaysia have a plan to discuss the border issues from September 6 to 9, 2010 in Kinabalu city, Malaysia.

"Let us wait for its outcome. I am sure through diplomacy, the problem will be solved, because both countries need each other," he said.

He also believed that most people do not want war as a way to solve the problem with Malaysia.

Even though at the end, Indonesia may defeat Malaysia, according to him, Indonesia would eventually be isolated by other countries like Iraq after invading Kuwait.

"Let`s look into the issues with a clear mind. Do not just employ narrow nationalism," he said.

Sutan said Indonesia and Malaysia have been good friends for many years.

"We are in the ASEAN community which put forward brotherhood and solidarity. Because of that, it is important to prioritize diplomacy to solve the problems," he said.
Moreover, Indonesia and Malaysia have a lot of similarities from skin color, language to culture.

He said, priority should be given to diplomacy in accordance with Indonesia`s free and independent foreign policy.

The relations between Indonesia and Malaysia had been tested following the arrest of three officials of maritime affairs and fisheries agency, Riau chapter, by Maysian police.

That arrest triggered protests at the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta.(*)

Editor: Ruslan Burhani
COPYRIGHT © 2012

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