The very silly spat between Malaysia and Indonesia is a huge disappointment for regionalists who dream to repeat the European experiment of closer integration in Southeast Asia. It may be silly but it has dire ramifications to regionalism in the region. Even if one is not a regionalist but simply a citizen of either country who wishes for his or her own country to take its rightful place in the world, it is in his or her interest to see relationships between both countries blooms. It must flourish for both countries are dependent on each other.
The point on dependency is by no means a mere rhetoric. In 2008, Indonesia was the seventh most important trading partner of Malaysia in terms of total trade. In the same year, Malaysia was among the top five most important trading partners to Indonesia. If hostility hurts trade, clearly both have something to lose from hostility. In times when the world economy is struggling to find its way towards sustained recovery, Malaysia and Indonesia do not have the luxury to let trade between them flounder.
The importance of trade impresses upon the urgency on both sides to find for ways to douse the fire that threatens to burn the ties that bind the two together. Multiple issues ranging from culture, territorial demarcation in eastern Borneo, treatment of Indonesian workers as well as open burning in both countries must be addressed to improve relationship between the two Southeast Asian countries, and more importantly, eventually, people-to-people relations.
Alas, these issues are complex enough that individuals on the street may not be able to appreciate the difficulties faced by both sides. Those complexities demand for both sides to take time in finding solutions that will satisfy all. It cannot be rushed lest it becomes seeds for future discord. Therefore, the same issues cannot be relied upon to immediately improve relationship between the two neighbors.
In the short run, both have to rely on something else.
In this sense, the earthquake that devastated Padang and its surrounding in western Sumatra offers Malaysia an opportunity to improve its relationship with Indonesia. To use a jargon, which is regretfully so popular in the circle of management consultancy in Malaysia, this is a quick win.
Malaysia must quickly mobilize its resources to dispense humanitarian aid to victims of the earthquake in Indonesia. In fact, it is imperative for the Jalur Gemilang to be the first national flag to fly alongside the Sang Saka Merah Putih in Padang if Malaysia is to capitalize on the whole episode. The short distance between the two countries further add weight to the importance of Malaysian presence.
Failure to be the first country to reach Padang could only be seen as incompetence of the Malaysian government. Failure to be the first is a failure of Malaysia as a neighbor and a key member of ASEAN. It is most unacceptable, if Malaysia wishes to have better ties with Indonesia.
Not only that, Malaysia must donate generously. The state government of Selangor for one has allocated half a million ringgit towards relief effort in Padang. This action deserves the highest commendation.
One cannot be deluded in thinking that money can buy good relations however, especially at people-to-people level. One also cannot be deluded in thinking that a one-time event like this — if the Malaysian government as well as other Malaysian organizations played an effective role in the relief effort in Padang — can permanently improve relations with Indonesia.
Good long-term relations depend on how issues between the two countries are resolved.
Nevertheless, the disaster is a stepping-stone towards better long-term relations. It is a chance for Malaysia to demonstrate its goodwill to Indonesians and effectively undermine Indonesian jingoists who seek to disrupt Malaysia-Indonesia ties that in effect jeopardizes regionalist agenda for Southeast Asia, though it may not be those nationalists’ intention.
Malaysia has a chance to set everything on the right track here. It is a chance to show that Malaysians care for Indonesians. One would pray for Malaysia to not blow this golden opportunity in diplomacy.
First published in The Malaysian Insider on October 2 2009.
