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KOTA KINABALU, Sabah: Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to speed up negotiations on their disputed maritime border.
They will also change their operating procedures and rules of engagement to avoid a repeat of an incident last month that triggered anti-Malaysian protests in Jakarta.
Foreign ministers of both countries met on Monday in the East Malaysian state of Sabah to iron out their differences.
The process to find a lasting solution to maritime border disputes that had long plagued bilateral relations is now on the fast track.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa was greeted by his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman upon his arrival in Kota Kinabalu.
Both held a meeting that lasted over an hour, followed by a joint delegation talks they described as fruitful and constructive.
The two countries agreed to speed up maritime boundary negotiations covering five key areas - the Straits of Malacca and the exclusive southern economic zone, the Singapore Strait, the Sulawesi Sea and the South China Sea.
Malaysia also agreed to amend the standard operating procedure to prevent a repeat of last month's maritime border incident that sparked angry protests in Jakarta.
During a joint news conference, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman assured that Indonesian marine officers will not be handcuffed in future.
"It is not business as usual. We are neighbours, but we should not take each other for granted. I think what is most important is to move forward. And we have made concessions...," he said.
Seven Malaysian fishermen were detained in disputed waters off southern Malaysia last month, by Indonesian authorities who accused them of straying into their territory.
Three of the Indonesian officials were detained by Malaysian maritime authorities who intercepted the group as they were being taken back to Indonesia.
Indonesia, in turn, said it will make sure similar incidents will not recur at the Malaysian embassy, which was attacked by protesters who threw faeces and burnt Malaysian flags.
"The Indonesian government, the police in particular, will do all it can within what is possible, within its rules and regulations, to enforce the rules and laws to ensure that no incident of the type recurs. And that is what I can assure you in terms of the resolve of the Indonesia authorities...," said Dr Natalegawa.
Indonesia has promised to ink a long overdue MOU on supply of maids to Malaysia, as soon as possible.
Kuala Lumpur said it will help build more schools for Indonesian children in Malaysia, especially in Sabah.
Two technical meetings will be held before the year end in a bid to resolve the maritime boundary demarcation
Both sides had already held more than 15 rounds of meetings on land and maritime boundary issues and according to officials, they are still a long way off to reaching a final agreement.
Meantime, they hope the new arrangement will be able to minimise conflicts that could potentially strain bilateral relations. - CNA/fa
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