MINISTER: MINOR ISSUES SHOULD NOT UNDERMINE MALAYSIA-INDONESIA TIES

JAKARTA, March 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia-Indonesia relations are based on
long-standing cultural and historical ties and should not be undermined by minor
issues that cause misunderstanding between the peoples of both countries,
Indonesian communications and information minister Tifatul Sembiring said.

Tifatul, who earlier received visiting Malaysian Information Communication
and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim, said Indonesia and Malaysia were of the same
cultural roots.

"We are the same... when we serve the Minang food to Datuk Rais, it is to
his taste.

"This goes to show that our cultural roots, even our taste buds, are the
same. This cultural similarity will undoubtedly benefit further from programmes
such as exchange of visits," he said.

On the contrary, he said, if there were little communications between
Indonesia and Malaysia, there were bound to be misunderstanding and small issues
could get blown out of proportion.

He suggested that literary elements such as pantun competition be used to
further expand the relations.

To a question, he said, issues affecting the relations of both countries
could be resolved in stages through more programmes such as exchange of visits.

Tifatul also felt that programmes such as the Warta Serumpun news exchange
should continue so that the peoples of both countries were able to get the
actual picture of events in each other's countries.

This was more so as Indonesia had its own brand of democracy in the
post-reformation era where the people were free to say what they liked even to
the extend of jeopardising relations between countries, he said.

During his visit here, Dr Rais also attended a musical performance by
Malaysian artistes at the Best of Asean Performing Arts titled "1Malaysia:
Harmony in Cultural Diversity".

The event was organised by the Asean Secretariat here.
-- BERNAMA