KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 — Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrived here yesterday for a visit which hopefully will iron out differences between the two countries.
Yudhoyono was given a red carpet welcome in Parliament by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and received a 21-gun salute from the elite Royal Malay Regiment.
Yudhoyono and his wife took a ceremonial car ride with the King before an evening audience and state dinner hosted by Najib.
Today, he will meet Najib to discuss several simmering issues which have caused unhappiness in Indonesia.
Bilateral ties have deteriorated since May as the two countries laid claims to the oil-rich waters of the Ambalat area, off the coast of Sabah and Indonesia's East Kalimantan.
There have been numerous face-offs between Indonesian and Malaysian warships in the area.
The Indonesian navy once came quite close to attacking a Malaysian vessel.
Relations have also been strained by cases of maid abuse by Malaysian employers. Jakarta has temporarily put a halt to sending its domestic workers here pending talks.
A controversy also blew up following reports that Malaysia had aired tourism commercials featuring the traditional “pendet” dance from Bali.
Malaysia has said repeatedly that it had nothing to do with the erroneous advertisements, but this did not stop bamboo-stick-wielding Indonesian vigilantes from trying to round up and intimidate Malaysians in the country.
This is the third time Najib has met the Indonesian leader since the former became Prime Minister in April.
The first occasion was in April when Najib made an official visit to Indonesia shortly after being appointed.
Najib and Yudhoyono also met last month at the latter's inauguration ceremony in Jakarta.
Later today, Yudhoyono will leave for Singapore to attend the Apec summit, and meet United States President Barack Obama. — The Straits Times
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Indonesia and UMNO leaders are like strained relatives that will never see eye to eye on the biggest issues. Because it is so, Indonesia will always have a stronger relationship with others first before Malaysia. The worst thing to happen to Malaysia is Indonesia actually is successful because then they will treat Malaysia like a poor cousin that can be ignored and in fact make demands to serve them...