KOSGORO: Maintain Malaysia-Indonesia relations Through NGOs

By Ahmad Fuad Yahya JAKARTA, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia-Indonesia relations, often affected by worker issues and border disputes, can be boosted through cooperation between non-government organisations (NGO) of both nations, an association here said. Indonesia's biggest NGO, Kesatuan Organisasi Serbaguna Gotong-Royong (KOSGORO) said cooperation at NGO level could be beneficial including by helping to clarify issues affecting both countries. Its secretary-general Syahrul Bungamayang said the union was prepared to cooperate with Malaysian NGOs to foster social relations. "We want to cooperate with Malaysian NGOs in the effort to boost the welfare of the communities in the fields of economy, education, health and socioculture," he said. Syahrul said currently KOSGORO's relations with Malaysian NGOs were focused more in the economic and manpower sectors. KOSGORO, through its Human Resources Development Agency had cooperated with a Malaysian manpower consortium and always stressed on the importance of maintaining good bilateral relations. "Until today, we do not find differences in perceptions between the leaders of both nations. "As such, we always encourage harmonious cooperation under the principle of mutually benefitting and mutual respect," he said. The NGO currently has more than six million members all over Indonesia including members of parliaments and members of religious based NGOs. Syarul hoped Malaysian NGOs would take up his recommendations and help to preserve relations between the peoples of both countries. -- BERNAMA