More than 2.6 million Malaysians visited Indonesia in 2025 as neighbours gear up for 70 years of diplomatic ties

He said people-to-people connections also remained strong, with more than 2.63 million Malaysian tourists visiting Indonesia last year, making Malaysia the largest source of foreign visitors to the republic, while 4.26 million Indonesian tourists visited Malaysia. — Reuters file pic

First Published: Wednesday, 16 Sep 2026 9:08 AM MYT

JAKARTA, Sept 16 — Malaysia and Indonesia are looking forward to the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2027, as bilateral cooperation between the close neighbours and strategic partners continues to gain momentum.

Malaysia’s Chargé d’Affaires to Indonesia Farzamie Sarkawi said this at the Malaysia Day celebration hosted by the Embassy of Malaysia in Jakarta, here on Tuesday night, highlighting the unique relationship between the two countries, which share history, language, and culture.

“We are not only neighbours, but also brothers and sisters who share history, language, and culture,” he said in his remarks, adding that the strength of Malaysia-Indonesia relations has enabled both countries to address obstacles and challenges through dialogue, mutual respect, and a spirit of friendship and togetherness.

The celebration was attended by Malaysia’s Ambassador-designate to Indonesia Datuk Muzaffar Shah Mustafa; Indonesia’s Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto; Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra, and Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian.

Farzamie said bilateral cooperation continues to gain momentum, with trade reaching US$34.22 billion (US$1=RM4.08) in 2025, while Malaysia remained Indonesia’s fourth-largest investor with investments amounting to US$4.5 billion.

He said people-to-people connections also remained strong, with more than 2.63 million Malaysian tourists visiting Indonesia last year, making Malaysia the largest source of foreign visitors to the republic, while 4.26 million Indonesian tourists visited Malaysia.

Farzamie said the leaders of both countries maintained close working and personal relations. This was reflected in the Annual Consultation between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta last year and Anwar’s special visit to the Indonesian capital on March 27 this year.

He said Malaysia and Indonesia also successfully convened the 17th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in Jakarta in June and the fourth Joint Trade and Investment Committee meeting this month.

On Asean, Farzamie said Malaysia remained committed to working closely with all Asean member states  to ensure that the regional grouping remains a strong, united, and influential force for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

Meanwhile, Brian in his remarks said education has long been an important pillar of Indonesia-Malaysia cooperation, with both countries continuing to strengthen cooperation through established frameworks and commitments since the signing of a joint agreement in education and culture in 1972.

“I believe that the establishment of a joint Indonesia-Malaysia academic consortium under this framework will further deepen collaboration among our institutions of higher learning, while creating greater opportunities for academic exchange and joint programmes,” he said.

Brian, who conveyed Prabowo’s greetings and best wishes to the Malaysian government and people, said these efforts would contribute to a more harmonious, prosperous, and resilient Asean, where the peoples of the region could thrive and the two nations continue to grow side by side.

“May Malaysia continue to prosper and flourish in unity, and may our two nations grow even closer in the years to come,” he said. — Bernama