INAUGURAL MALAYSIA-INDONESIA EPG MEETING BEGINS IN JAKARTA

By Mohd Nasir Yusoff
JAKARTA, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- The inaugural meeting of the
Malaysia-Indonesia Eminent Persons Group (EPG) began here Friday, with
discussions centred on three agenda aimed at fostering closer relations between both countries.

Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Zainal Abidin Mohamed Zain said the EPG, comprising seven officials on each side, would discuss issues on the perception gap among generations, cultural heritage collaboration and the promotion of both countries' aspirations through the media.

"The historical relations between both countries, perceptions among the
young either in Malaysia or Indonesia and the role of the media are important
elements in strengthening bilateral relations," he told Bernama here.

The EPG, which was agreed upon by Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono early this year, would
also discuss its terms of reference.

Among activities the EGP had recommended to enhance understanding on the
historical, cultural and issues of mutual interest were dialogues between
historians as well as between graduates and youth organisations of both
countries.

Zainal Abidin said the EPG had also recommended the dialogue to also include
cultural experts and media organisations of both countries.

The Malaysian EPG is headed by former Deputy Prime Minister Musa Hitam while
the deputy chairman is Halim Ali.

The five members are Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Mohd Zahidi Zainuddin, Hamid
Bugo, Dr Khoo Kay Kim and Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas.

The Indonesian EPG is headed by former Vice-President Try Sutrisno and
comprises Ali Alatas, Prof Dr Quraisy Shihab, Des Alwi Abu Bakar, Dr Musni
Umar, Dr Prudentia Maria Purenti Sri Suniarti and Wahyuni Bahar.

The EPG would wrap-up their meeting at noon Saturday.
-- BERNAMA