MALAYSIA-INDONESIA TIES SUFFER DUE TO LACK OF INTERACTION

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- Lack of interaction among the people and poor memory of collective history among the young have affected Malaysia-Indonesia ties.

Malaysian Eminent Persons Group (EPG) member Abdul Halim Ali said
the media was also responsible for tension between the people of both countries.

"Media liberalisation in Indonesia had led to publication of news or online
postings that led to negative sentiments.

"Despite this, the government, agencies, private sector and non-governmental
organisations (NGO) have to strengthen ties and build a strong foundation," he
said when launching the book "Membangkitkan Memori Kolektif Kesejarahan
Indonesia-Malaysia" (Generating Indonesia-Malaysia Collective Historical Memory)
here Wednesday.

Halim said EPG had identified cooperation in areas like economy, trade,
education, journalism and human relationship (people to people contact).

He added EPG was entrusted with studying ties of both countries for
upgrading and identifying things that could raise anger among the people.

-- BERNAMA