BILATERAL TIES STRENGTHENED THROUGH PERSONAL RELATIONS - DPM

BANDUNG, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the
long, close Malaysia-Indonesia bilateral ties could be further strengthened
through establishing relations between the private sectors, youth groups and
non-governmental organisations of both countries.

Citing the close relationship between the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib
Razak and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and between himself and
Vice-President Boediono, he said fostering formal and non-formal relations would
be good for both countries.

"Between us, we can be on the phone if there are matters to be discussed.
At a meeting between the two top leaders (Najib and Susilo) recently, it was
agreed that personal and informal relations be promoted between the ministers of
both countries," he said at a news conference at the end of his two-day visit
here, Sunday.

Muhyiddin who earlier played golf and had lunch with old pal, Dr Fadel
Muhammad, the former governor of Gorontalo province and currently Marine Affairs
and Fisheries Minister, said they not only always communicated through the phone
but also through SMSes.

He said a non-formal approach was encouraged as a close personal
relationship could ease discussions and solving of issues.

Muhyiddin said during his unofficial discussion with Fadel, the Indonesian
minister expressed hope that export of fish and fish products from Indonesia to
Malaysia could be increased.

He said Fadel also invited Malaysian investors to invest in downstream
fishery activities in Indonesia, particularly in setting up ice factories in
Aceh which were badly needed by the fishermen there.

Muhyiddin disclosed that Malaysia indeed imported a lot of fish from
Indonesia.

He said Fadel also wanted to see closer cooperation between the two
countries in addressing the problem of encroachment and illegal fishing
involving fishermen of both countries.

"For Malaysia, this is a good way to prevent issues from arising and causing
tension between the two countries," Muhyiddin said.
-- BERNAMA