THE LAUNCHING of iKMI

Jakarta, Sunday, 3^rd of September 2023:

1. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Retno L.P. Marsudi and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir jointly officiated the launching of the co-operation between Pusat Kajian Ikatan Malaysia-Indonesia (iKMI) of the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and the Indonesia-Malaysia Studies Programme (IMSP) at the Centre for East Asian Studies, Universitas Prasetiya Mulya Indonesia. The event was held at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in Senayan, Jakarta. The co-operation between both universities culminates from the visit of Prime Minister Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim to Jakarta in January 2023 and the visit of President of Indonesia Joko Widodo to Malaysia in June 2023. During his visit to Jakarta, Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for both Indonesia and Malaysia to work collaboratively on regional issues to secure both countries’ political and economic interests.

The co-operation between UKM and UPM, and between iKMI and IMSP signifies a closer relationship between education and research institutions between two closely linked ASEAN Member States, Indonesia and Malaysia. The two centres will focus on academic and policy research and training in bilateral relations of the two countries, focusing on issues relating to economy, trade and investment, foreign affairs, security issues, maritime and border issues and ASEAN integration.

The two foreign ministers reiterate that both Indonesia and Malaysia have to develop, maintain, and continue to nurture good relations (and the feel-good factor) in the countries. The two foreign ministers call upon academic institutions to promote good rapport and mutual respect for both countries, as contained in the ASEAN Charter. Academia through the second and third track diplomacy has a role to play to foster the bilateral relationship to the next level, in facing the challenging global political and economic environment that both countries are experiencing.

The Rector of UPM and the Vice-Chancellor of UKM agree that through IKMI and IMSP, both Universities would be able to assist both governments in terms of policy inputs and capacity building. In his speech, Vice-Chancellor of UKM states that iKMI has been established by UKM to meet three main objectives: to become a referral policy, research, and consultative centre on Malaysia-Indonesia relations; to enhance academic cooperation between Malaysian and Indonesian scholars; and to produce experts in the Indonesia and Malaysia studies.

The event was proceeded by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universitas Prasetiya Mulya (UPM), Indonesia. The MOU was signed by Professor Dr Djisman S. Simandjuntak, Rector of UPM, and Professor Dato’ Gs Ts Dr Mohd Ekhwan Hj Toriman, The Vice Chancellor of UKM. The signing witnessed by Ambassador Dr Rizal Sukma of the Centre for East Asian Studies, UPM and Professor Dr Sufian Jusoh, Director of the IKMAS UKM. 

2. After the MOU, the two universities conducted a Roundtable on “Indonesia and Malaysia Leadership in ASEAN: An Appraisal.” The Roundtable was moderated by Professor Dr Mohd Kamarulnizam Abdullah of IKMAS UKM. The Panellists were Ambassador Dr Rizal Sukma, Universitas Prasetiya Mulya; Professor Datuk Dr Yahaya Bin Ibrahim, IKMAS UKM; Datuk Dr Sabirin Jaafar, IKMAS UKM; Dr Fauziah Zen, Senior Economist at ERIA; and Professor Dr. Evi Fitriani, Head of International Relations Department, Faculty of Social and Political Science of Universitas Indonesia. Distinguished Professor Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, Founding Director of the Institut Kebangsaan Kajian Etnik, UKM acted as a discussant.
3. Panellists of the Roundtable agreed that Malaysia and Indonesia, as the founding members of ASEAN, should continue to play a major leadership role in ASEAN, especially in realising the ASEAN Vision Post-2025, and the proposed ASEAN Concord IV which will be discussed by the ASEAN Leaders in the upcoming 43^rd ASEAN Leaders’ Summit.