SOLVE BORDER ISSUES TO ASSURE COUNTRY`S ECONOMIC GROWTH

PENANG (Malaysia), Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Indonesia need to solve
their border issues to achieve good economic growth, says Indonesia's
presidential candidate Professor Yusril Ihza Mahendra.

The former minister of justice and human rights said border issues could be
solved at round-table meetings without problems as the relationship of both
nations was strong.

He singled out the Straits of Malacca, Borneo, East Malaysia states of
Sabah and Sarawak, East and West of Kalimantan and Straits of East Kalimantan as
facing unsolved border issues.

Speaking to reporters after his keynote address at the Universiti Sains
Malaysia (USM) in this northern state here Thursday, Yusril said the most
challenging of border issues was the sea border like Sipadan and Ligitan whose
right was given to Malaysia by the International Court of Justice at The Hague
on Dec 17, 2002.

On Indonesian illegal immigrants involved in crimes in Malaysia, he noted
that both countries were coordinated in their action to tackle the
issue.

Yusril also admitted being an admirer of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's
first prime minister.
-- BERNAMA