CONFLICT A REFLECTION OF DYNAMIC RELATIONS - INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia-Indonesia relations, which
are often characterised by "roller coaster" conflicts, are a reflection of the
dynamism in the ties between both countries, Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia
Da'i Bachtiar said.

"This is dynamism at work. In life, there is dynamism, and in a family,
there are bound to be conflicts," he said.

He was met by reporters at a sponsorship ceremony of the book "Setengah Abad
Hubungan Malaysia dan Indonesia" (Half A Century of Malaysia and Indonesia
Relations) by Malaysia's largest bank, Maybank, at the University of Malaya (UM)
here Wednesday.

Da'i said when a conflict cropped up, like in the ongoing spat over the
pendet dance, leaders of both countries should find ways to resolve it.

"The important thing is how both sides can enhance people-to-people
relations and to nurture the friendship further," he said.


UM vice-chancellor Dr Ghauth Jasmon said Malaysia and Indonesia
relations could also be forged through the academia such as through the
publication of the book which contained working papers by academicians of both
countries.

The papers were presented during a conference in 2007 to commemorate the
50th anniversary of the Malaysia-Indonesia relations.

For a start, 3,000 books will be printed and distributed to schools and
libraries nationwide, and later to schools and libraries in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Dr Ghauth said the UM would open branch offices in Jakarta and
Dubai to attract students from Indonesia and the Middle-East.

He said that at the moment, UM had 700 Indonesian students and 15 lecturers.

-- BERNAMA