ID :
23513
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 16:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/23513
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MIGRATION ISSUE GETS SPECIAL ATTENTION AT MALAYSIA-INDONESIA EPG MEETING
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The second meeting of the
Malaysia-Indonesia Eminent Persons Group (EPG) Thursday paid special attention on the issue of migration between two countries.
Former deputy prime minister Musa Hitam who led the Malaysian delegation,
said the EPG would prepare a working paper covering various aspects of the issue
for submission to the leaders of both countries.
"On the question of migration, both governments are tackling the issue
and ties between the two countries are good. Hence, there is no harm for the EPG
to give suggestions.
"And this is an important issue resulting in bad press and causing a lot of
problems," he told reporters after chairing the meeting here.
He said two representatives from the Malaysia EPG and their Indonesian
counterpart would study the issue and its impact on the Malaysia-Indonesia
relations.
The study would also involve several groups who had influence in the
issue, he said.
"We will ask several groups relevant to the migration issue like media
representatives, non-governmental organisations, politicians and academicians to
take part in the discussion," Musa said.
Besides that, he said, the EPG would also focus on the aspects of culture
and history, youth, sports, economy and the media to enhance and determine the
future of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The EPG would also draw up several cultural and history activities and
organise seminars on culture, he said.
He said the role of the media in the two countries would also be
highlighted in the EPG working paper by giving special emphasis on young media
practitioners.
He said the EPG would hopefully be able to bring together young Malaysian
and Indonesian journalists so that they could share views among them either in
Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta.
"If all reporters are informed, then things will go better.
"I would like to see an informed free press; they can be critical as they
want to be but as long as they are informed, I'm happier than those who are
ignorant press that is free.
"An ignorant press that is free is dangerous but an informed press that is
free is constructive," Musa said.
The third meeting of the Malaysia-Indonesia EPG will be held here on Nov 12
and 13 while the fourth in Jakarta on Dec 22 and 23.
Malaysia-Indonesia Eminent Persons Group (EPG) Thursday paid special attention on the issue of migration between two countries.
Former deputy prime minister Musa Hitam who led the Malaysian delegation,
said the EPG would prepare a working paper covering various aspects of the issue
for submission to the leaders of both countries.
"On the question of migration, both governments are tackling the issue
and ties between the two countries are good. Hence, there is no harm for the EPG
to give suggestions.
"And this is an important issue resulting in bad press and causing a lot of
problems," he told reporters after chairing the meeting here.
He said two representatives from the Malaysia EPG and their Indonesian
counterpart would study the issue and its impact on the Malaysia-Indonesia
relations.
The study would also involve several groups who had influence in the
issue, he said.
"We will ask several groups relevant to the migration issue like media
representatives, non-governmental organisations, politicians and academicians to
take part in the discussion," Musa said.
Besides that, he said, the EPG would also focus on the aspects of culture
and history, youth, sports, economy and the media to enhance and determine the
future of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The EPG would also draw up several cultural and history activities and
organise seminars on culture, he said.
He said the role of the media in the two countries would also be
highlighted in the EPG working paper by giving special emphasis on young media
practitioners.
He said the EPG would hopefully be able to bring together young Malaysian
and Indonesian journalists so that they could share views among them either in
Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta.
"If all reporters are informed, then things will go better.
"I would like to see an informed free press; they can be critical as they
want to be but as long as they are informed, I'm happier than those who are
ignorant press that is free.
"An ignorant press that is free is dangerous but an informed press that is
free is constructive," Musa said.
The third meeting of the Malaysia-Indonesia EPG will be held here on Nov 12
and 13 while the fourth in Jakarta on Dec 22 and 23.
