Indonesian, Malaysian leaders discuss US-China rivalry

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday discussed the “rivalry” between the US and China, besides other bilateral and regional issues.

Widodo hosted Anwar at Bogor presidential palace in Indonesian capital Jakarta in what was Malaysian premier’s first overseas trip since being inaugurated last November.

“During their 4-eyed meeting, both Leaders took stock of the progress of bilateral cooperation, explore potential of new cooperation, and promote joint efforts in addressing regional and global challenges,” said a statement by Malaysian Foreign Ministry on Twitter.

The two sides discussed economic cooperation including Malaysian potential investments in Indonesia, bilateral land border demarcation and maritime border delimitation besides employment and protection of Indonesian migrant workers.

“Both Leaders also exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar, rivalry between the United States and China, joint efforts in addressing discrimination against palm oil,” the statement.

Malaysia and Indonesia are founding members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expanding Southeast Asian region where the US has intensified its both diplomacy and military relations – at bilateral as well as multilateral levels – to counter China’s expanding economic and military influence.

​Anwar expressed full support to Widodo over Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN which it assumed this month.

According to Widodo, the two sides signed 11 letters of intent in the fields of electronics, health, waste management, construction and property.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in increasing the palm oil market through the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries, the Indonesian president said.

Malaysia and Indonesia supply around 85% of world’s total Palm oil production.

Anwar paid a two-day trip to neighboring and world’s largest Muslim-populated nation, where he also delivered a public lecture on “Malaysia-Indonesia Strategic Relations: Challenges and Hopes” discussing challenges and opportunities in cooperation between the two countries.