Kuala Lumpur, NU Online

KH Ma’ruf Amin, chief of supreme council of Nahdlatul Ulama visited Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Muhammad in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday (9/8). On the meeting, they discussed recent issues in ASEAN and Asia, as well as trend on international politics.

“The meeting is an important momentum for bilateral relation between Indonesia and Malaysia because one another can learn, both of them get benefits as the state and nation,” said Kiai Ma’ruf through press release.

According to Kiai Ma’ruf, the close relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia not only because both countries are neighboring territories, but also there are spiritual and cultural relationship for decades.

“Two countries are Moslem majorities that oriented on Ahlusunnah wal Jamaah teaching, and there is a great number of Indonesia labors who are in Malaysia. Of course they have influenced Malaysia culture,” he said. 

On this occasion, Kiai Ma’ruf praised Mahathir as a prominent international political figure who has some qualified experience and convincing nationalism in the global dynamic of economics and politics.

Furthermore, Kiai Ma’ruf, who propose new concept of Indonesia economics, entrust to Mahathir, Indonesia citizens who work in Malaysia at various sectors such as education, industries, and business. 

“They (Indonesian citizens) is expected to be seen not only as allied citizens and work partners but also as brothers. So that, some problems and difficulties can be solved as family and brother,” he explained.  

Kiai Ma’ruf believed that Indonesia and Malaysia brotherhood will be better in the leadership of Mahathir Muhammad. It has been proved by Mahathir who went to Indonesia as first country to be visited after his inauguration. 

“We hope, this visit is to be starting step to strengthen brotherhood between Indonesia and Malaysia in the future,” he said. (Husni Sahal/Abdullah Alawi)