He made the statement after a meeting with Malaysian Defense Minister Dato' Seri Hishammuddin bin Hussein, following the 42nd General Border Committee (GBC) Malindo Session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday.
According to Subianto, good cooperation between neighboring countries will prove valuable in maintaining the security and stability of the wider region.
"With the solidity between Indonesia and Malaysia, we can survive in geopolitics (confront geopolitical issues that have currently been) full of uncertainty," the minister added.
Malindo is not merely a routine meeting, but a strategic program, he said.
Malindo, a form of cooperation between the two countries, was born from the collective awareness of Malaysian and Indonesian leaders that the two countries needed to work with each other extensively.
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"Both our nations were colonized for quite a long time by foreign nations. We are in Nusantara, which is now Indonesia, which used to consist of many kingdoms. Malaysia, too, was under colonial rule for quite a long time. They colonized us because we were rich, to seize our wealth," Subianto said.
The minister highlighted the importance of Indonesia and Malaysia improving relations from both ends, as well as pursuing cooperation with neighboring and allied countries to maintain stability in the region.
"I recommend all efforts to further improve relations with Malaysia. I will strive to strengthen our relations. Indonesia and Malaysia have a special relation," he remarked.
The minister said that he was grateful that Indonesia and Malaysia have been united through Malindo for the past 50 years.
"I feel very honored and proud to be able to attend and commemorate the 50th anniversary of Malindo with my brother, Dato' Seri Hishammuddin bin Hussein. We are historical actors. Let's work for even stronger cooperation," he remarked.
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Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Suharto
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