JAKARTA: Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed in principle on the use of technology such as drones to monitor security and crime along their common border.
Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the Malaysia-Indonesia border agreement, which will be renewed next year, will lean towards the use of technology to resolve border issues.
“The memorandum of understanding on the border crossing agreement and border trade agreement is being finalised and will be signed next year,” he told reporters here today.
Muhyiddin, who is on a two-day working visit to Indonesia, held discussions with Indonesia’s Manpower Minister Ida Fauziya and Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laolyn today.
He said Malaysia and Indonesia will continue to work closely to resolve issues like smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking and cross-border crimes.
He said he and Ida also discussed the issue of workers who enter Malaysia illegally.
“Malaysia and Indonesia are united on this. The issue of illegal immigrants must be resolved together and seriously,” he said.
He also said the two countries were looking at implementing an exchange programme of prisoners, adding that the matter was brought up by Indonesian President Joko Widodo at a recent meeting with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The proposed programme will see prisoners being sent back to their own countries to serve their sentences.
There are about 300 Malaysians in Indonesian prisons, while more than 5,000 Indonesians are serving time in Malaysia.
PH leaders told to stop disputes
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin, who is the PPBM president, said Pakatan Harapan leaders should stop any turmoil or disputes, which could give a negative impression and affect the people’s confidence in the government.
Without pinpointing any leader, he said everyone should be focused on improving the economy and solving the people’s problems.
“I hope everyone involved (in any conflict) would find a way to solve the party’s problems,” he said.
Muhyiddin said the people were expecting the government to focus on efforts to improve their standard of living, address the cost of living issues and create new economic opportunities for them.