Malaysia, Indonesia to Pursue Single Time Zone For ASEAN
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Jumat, 19 Oktober 2018 15:12 WIB
Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (L) and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (R) talk to each other prior to their meeting at the prime minister's office in Putrajaya, outside Kuala Lumpur (2/6). Jokowi arrived at the Prime Minister's Department this morning for a bilateral meeting with Datuk Seri Najib Razak. MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The leaders of Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to pursue a single time zone for countries in the ASEAN region.
Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the idea would "enhance the spirit of ASEAN solidarity".
There are currently three different time zones spanning ASEAN – a 90-minute time difference between Myanmar in the west and Singapore and Malaysia in the east.
Indonesia is divided over the three time zones despite previous plans to implement a single zone for the country.
Singapore Foreign Minister K Shanmugam has previously indicated support for the idea, which was also discussed at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Kota Kinabalu on January 28.
Supporters say a single time zone would make regional banking more efficient, with coordinated opening times for banks and stock markets.