Raden speaks during the event on Wednesday. – Photo by Matthew Umpang
KUCHING (March 27): Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching Raden Sigit Witjaksono hopes that Indonesia and Malaysia will continue to maintain strong relations.
As his tenure as Indonesia’s consul-general in Sarawak comes to an end this year, he emphasised the importance of ongoing cooperation between the two neighbours, particularly in utilising Sarawak’s close proximity to boost economic and social collaboration.
He said Sarawak’s position makes it a vital link in the Malaysia-Indonesia relations, and pointed out that the two regions not only share geographical closeness but also deep cultural and economic ties that should be further strengthened.
“Sarawak is one of the closest regions to Indonesia; we even share the same island of Borneo.
“We must take advantage of this proximity, both geographically and via personal relationships. That’s why Indonesia needs Sarawak, and Sarawak needs Indonesia.
“We must also continue working together and benefitting from each other, including in the labour sector where the majority of workers in Sarawak’s plantations are from Indonesia,” he said during an iftar dinner, held at the Indonesian Consulate General here on Wednesday night.
Beyond government-to-government cooperation, Raden stressed the need to enhance business-to-business partnerships, as trade and economic activities between Sarawak and Indonesia have significant growth potential.
He also noted that Indonesia’s decision to relocate its capital to Nusantara in Kalimantan would create new opportunities for Sarawak to work closely with Indonesia, particularly in trade, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
“Essentially, we are family, especially those living along the border.
“Borders were drawn during colonial times, but they do not change the deep-rooted connections between our people. We must continue to respect and support each other.
“The relocation of our capital opens up even more avenues for cooperation between Indonesia and Sarawak,” he said.
With Sarawak serving as Malaysia’s gateway to Kalimantan, Raden believes that stronger ties between the two will benefit both nations, particularly in cross-border trade, tourism, and workforce mobility.
“Therefore Malaysia and Indonesia are in a strong position to benefit from Sarawak’s geographical advantage.
“We must use this to our advantage by fostering greater collaboration in various sectors, and support each other in all fields including energy, infrastructure, and beyond,” he said.
Raden explained that Indonesia’s diplomatic presence in Malaysia consists of six missions – including the Embassy in Kuala Lumpur; consulates general in Johor Bahru, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching; and a consulate in Tawau –which focus on citizen services and protection, reflecting the close relationship between the two nations.
“Indonesia and Malaysia also have a very strong diplomatic relationship, especially under the current governments.
“Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim share a close friendship, which strengthens our bilateral ties,” he said.
Their cooperation, he added, extends beyond diplomacy to regional and global matters, including joint discussions on palm oil trade with the European Union.
On the Indonesian workforce in Sarawak, Raden stated that most Indonesian workers in the state are employed in plantations, followed by construction, manufacturing, and service sectors.
He revealed that while many Indonesian workers in Sarawak come from Kalimantan Barat, a significant number also hail from Sulawesi Selatan, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB), and Java.
“Workers from Sulawesi Selatan, NTT, and NTB are the most resilient in plantation work, while those from Java are usually involved in construction,” he explained.
Furthermore, Raden remains optimistic that Indonesia-Sarawak ties will continue to grow through various collaborations.
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