KUCHING, Aug 27 — Sarawak will continue to resolve issues with neighbouring Indonesia through dialogue and engagement rather than allow matters such as the haze to escalate into conflict, said Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He said the approach was consistent with the spirit of the Malaysia-Indonesia Peace Agreement 1966, which ended the Indonesian Confrontation through dialogue, diplomacy and the willingness of both sides to seek common ground.
“The most important lesson of 1966 is how the conflict ended — through dialogue, through diplomacy, through sincerity, and through the willingness of neighbouring nations to seek common ground,” he said his speech at the 60th anniversary of the Malaysia-Indonesia Peace Agreement 1966 commemorating the end of the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation at Batu Lintang Memorial Square here today.
He said the same spirit remained relevant in managing present-day issues between Sarawak and its Indonesian neighbours, including the recurring haze situation.
“In many other countries, problems like this might lead to war. But down here, we try to resolve our problems amicably behind the scenes,” he said.
Abdul Karim said Sarawak had been engaging the Indonesian government over fires in West Kalimantan which had contributed to the haze affecting the state.
“We have been behind the scenes, we have been trying to tell them — especially the Indonesian government — please control those fires because this has become an annual occurrence,” he said.
He stressed that peaceful management of differences was important given the close historical, cultural and people-to-people ties between communities on both sides of the Borneo border.
“Our borders may define our countries, but they do not erase the connections between our people. Instead, they provide an opportunity for us to build bridges of cooperation,” he said.
Abdul Karim said Malaysia and Indonesia had transformed their relationship over the past six decades from confrontation to cooperation and mutual respect, working together in trade, tourism, education, culture, security and people-to-people relations.
He said Sarawak’s close ties with Kalimantan were reflected in practical cooperation, including energy and humanitarian assistance.
“Sarawak is now exporting electricity to West Kalimantan,” he said, adding that Sarawak Energy was also helping supply electricity to Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara.
He also recalled Sarawak’s assistance to West Kalimantan during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the state supplied oxygen to hospitals there amid shortages.
Abdul Karim said the Aug 11, 1966 peace agreement represented a decision by Malaysia and Indonesia to turn a new page and look towards the future.
“The future can always be different from the past,” he said.
He also paid tribute to Malaysian, Australian, New Zealand, British and Gurkha servicemen who served in Borneo during the Confrontation, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Their presence here reminds us that the history of Borneo is also part of a wider history of regional cooperation and friendship,” he said.
Abdul Karim said the presence of veterans at the memorial was a powerful reminder of how far Malaysia-Indonesia relations had progressed.
“Yesterday, we served during difficult times. Today, we stand together in friendship. And tomorrow, we move forward together in peace,” he said.
He said the lesson of the 1966 agreement should be passed to younger generations by emphasising reconciliation and the peaceful resolution of differences.
“Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. Peace is the result of understanding. Peace is built through dialogue. Peace is strengthened through cooperation. And peace is sustained through friendship,” he said.
Abdul Karim called on Malaysia and Indonesia to continue strengthening their ties and for Borneo to become a region where borders are bridges, where communities prosper together, and where friendship prevails over division. — The Borneo Post
Date: 27 August, 2026 5:18 pm
Source: Malay Mail
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