"Good relations between the two neighboring countries will not only benefit Indonesia and Malaysia, but will also be very important for Southeast Asia," Mahathir said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias newly elected president this year will work towards improving the future relations between the two neighboring countries, former prime minister of Malaysia Mahathir Muhammad optimistically stated on Monday.

"Indonesia and Malaysia have so far enjoyed sound relations, but trivial problems still often arise between the two countries. I hope that the newly elected president can help to maintain good relations and settle the existing problems," he remarked during a visit here.

He did not get into the finer details of what he meant by "trivial problems," but emphasized the importance of sound relations between Indonesia and Malaysia, not only for the two countries, but also for maintaining stability in the Southeast Asian region.

"Good relations between the two neighboring countries will not only benefit Indonesia and Malaysia, but will also be very important for Southeast Asia," he claimed.

Malaysia and Indonesia were almost involved in a military clash at the end of the rule of former president Soekarno, who considered the Kuala Lumpur government as a British puppet.

The relations between the two countries were yet again strained in the early millennium due to a dispute over the ownership of Sipadan and Ligitan islands in the Strait of Makassar.

Although the two countries relations have often been marked by tension in the past, they have also admittedly had a positive impact on Southeast Asia.

The two countries are among the key initiators of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has been recognized worldwide as been able to successfully bring about security and stability in the region during the Cold War era.

The stability of the region is once again threatened by disputes over several areas in the South China Sea between several ASEAN members (excluding Indonesia and Malaysia) and China.

Besides elucidating the importance of maintaining good relations between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, Mahathir also remarked on the recent legislative elections held in the country, which he believes were amazing as they have gone peacefully.

"I am amazed by the implementation of the general elections in Indonesia, which has gone without any bloodshed. It is not easy to hold a general election in a country with a population reaching more than 200 million," he remarked.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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