Malaysia PM Najib Razak: Accept our victory, then we'll reconcile  

The idea first emerged around the end of April, before Malaysia held its 13th general elections. Malaysian opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, had visited former Vice President Jusuf Kalla at his Jakarta residence. Anwar raised a plan to end the post-election tension in Malaysia. Anwar asked Kalla to mediate with the chairman of the National Front (Barisan Nasional) the ruling coalition the current Prime Minister, Dato' Sri Mohammad Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak. It so happens that Kalla and Najib are known to be close, due to their Bugis backgrounds.

At that time, Anwar was confident his opposition alliance of parties, the Pakatan Rakyat, would win the elections. He signed an agreement honoring the elections and planned to carry out a reconciliation program. Through Kalla, the agreement was also to have been signed by Najib, but he claimed the excuse of having to get the approval of other party leaders in the Barisan Nasional coalition; Najib never did sign the agreement. "But I was committed to it," said Najib.

However, more than a month after the completion of the district-based elections--which was won by Barisan Nasional, political reconciliation in Malaysia seems quite distant. Anwar turned his back on the agreement because he felt the incumbent party had cheated. "Let's resolve the election cheating before discussing reconciliation," said Anwar.

Opposition Pakatan Rakyat did win the popular vote: 5.62 million vs. 5.24 million votes. But it lost seats in parliament. On the other hand, Najib--who was reelected, has been reluctant to discuss reconciliation so long as the opposition refuses to recognize his party's victory.

Two weeks ago, the possibility of reconciliation was again raised following reports that Najib and Anwar were both recently in Jakarta, both of them having met with Jusuf Kalla. Najib told Tempo that his visit to Indonesia this time was a personal one: to rest, travel, play golf and meet old friends.

During his five-day visit to Indonesia, he met with Tempo reporters Agoeng Wijaya, Sandy Indra Pratama and Riky Ferdianto at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jakarta.

Najib spoke in heavily-accented Malay throughout the interview. Two points he stressed during the talk were internal Malaysian politics and his plan to collaborate more with Indonesia in the future.

Is the political climate in Malaysia so hot that you need to play golf in Jakarta?

Well, I haven't had any rest since the elections. By chance, my wife had an event to attend over here, so I came along to relax and play golf, meet up with old friends and observe how things have developed. Relation with Indonesia is important and many issues can be resolved informally.

Is that why you met with Jusuf Kalla? Reportedly, you two played golf at Halim.

When I held the post of deputy prime minister, Jusuf Kalla was vice president. We were counterparts and we have the same background. He is a Bugis and I am Bugis. Our wives are both Minang (people of West Sumatra). During many visits, mostly unofficial, we communicated. This time we played golf together.

Isn't Jusuf Kalla trying to mediate reconciliation between you and Anwar Ibrahim?

It was Anwar Ibrahim who asked Kalla to be a mediator.

What would be the limitations to this reconciliation?

First, the recent elections must be accepted. Anwar Ibrahim had signed the commitment letter in front of Kalla. But so far, Anwar has not officially accepted the results of the elections.

We heard you refused to sign the letter.

As party (United Malays National Organization or UMNO) chairman, I had to get the approval of the other party leaders before I could sign it. It was a long process, but I remained committed [to the agreement]. At the time, Pak Jusuf Kalla said that as a Bugis, he must have integrity. Our word is our bond. That's the principle of the Bugis people.

Does this mean you are still for reconciliation?

They must first accept the election results. That is the main point of the agreement and Anwar Ibrahim himself signed it. We continue to monitor developments.

What do you see as the most important aspect of Malaysia-Indonesia relations in the future?

In general, we have discussed trade. We must develop a grade investment momentum. Trade between Indonesia-Malaysia has now reached US$18 billion. We have determined that it should be US$30 billion by 2015.

Isn't that a little ambitious? It's only two years away.

Yes, it's quite ambitious, but we must try to reach the target.

How do you plan to do that?

The two countries must increase the role of the private sector. I want to see not just Malaysia investing in Indonesia, but also Indonesia investing in Malaysia. In principle, we agreed to work together to achieve mutual prosperity for the sake of prosperity. So there cannot be a Malaysia prospering but not Indonesia. Or the reverse, a prosperous Indonesia but not Malaysia.

Are you aware of increasing anti-Malaysia sentiments in Indonesia and vice versa recently?

There are two kinds. First, the sentiment about the cultural legacy of Malaysia and Indonesia. Secondly, sentiments which tend to be more nationalistic, especially in Indonesia, which is more apparent.

Will this prevent the collaboration between the two countries?

The two countries must look at it in a positive way. Sentiments should not disrupt stability, which can be a disadvantage for all. Malaysia and Indonesia are neighbors who must create productive relations. Otherwise, both countries will lose out.

The coplete interview is available on print on this week's edition of Tempo English Weekly (June 24 to 30).