NU seeks stronger cooperation with Malaysia

Jakarta, NU Online
Malaysia's ambassador to Indonesia, Dato 'Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin held a working visit to the headquarters of the Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in Jakarta Monday.

The two parties came to an agreement on strategic partnerships in such fields as education and employment.

"Malaysia has so far only been working with Indonesia, with a non-profit NGO it has never been. Whereas we are one clump countries. The ambassador's visit is to initiate the purposeful cooperation," general chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH. Said Aqil Siroj told NU Online.

Dato 'Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin was accompanied by Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Yahya as Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of Malaysia, Abdul Aziz bin Jusoh (Religious Affairs Attaché) and the Embassy's Advisor, Aminudian Yahya.

Meanwhile Aqil Siroj was accompanied by Secretary-General of PBNU H. Marsudi syuhud, Treasurer of PBNU H. Bina Suhendra, chairman of PBNU H. Slamet Effendy Yusuf, Deputy Secretary-General Imdadun Rahmat, Deputy Treasurer and Nasyirul Falah Amru and chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama Muslim Workers Union, Saiful Bahri Ansori.

In the field of education the cooperation will be focused on the exchange of students and cadres, while in the field of employment it will be focused on the safety of Indonesian Workers.

"Thanks God, the Malaysia's response is good and its realization will be followed up immediately," Siroj added.

The cooperation between NU and Malaysia, Siroj said, would expectedly strengthen the relatioships between the two parties that have so far been vulnerable for a number of causes.

"It is expected the cooperation will strengthen bilateral relations of the two countries, in which Indonesia and Malaysia is located between Australia and China and of course there is a big challenge," he concluded. (enh)