JAKARTA – Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will tomorrow make a two-day official visit to Indonesia, at the invitation of President Joko Widodo.
Muhyiddin and his wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, are scheduled to arrive at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport here at 5pm western Indonesia time.
Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Zainal Abidin Bakar said it will be Muhyiddin’s first visit to the country since he was sworn in as prime minister on March 1 last year.
“There are several things that touch on the interests of both countries, that require the highest-level face-to-face and heart-to-heart discussions,” he told a press conference at the Malaysian embassy here today.
Muhyiddin will be given an official welcoming ceremony at Istana Merdeka on Friday, before he and Joko, better known as Jokowi, hold a meeting, followed by a joint press conference.
“Among the issues expected to be discussed are those related to palm oil discrimination, haze, potential investment and trade joint ventures, implementation of the Reciprocal Green Lane, and cooperation in addressing Covid-19,” said Zainal Abidin.
He said the delegation will strictly heed heath protocols, including undergoing a swab test before departure and upon arrival, and quarantine upon returning to Malaysia on Friday evening.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia tomorrow morning, and will hold a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi.
Wisma Putra, in a statement, said Muhyiddin’s delegation will be small, and that only those whose virus test returned negative will be allowed to undertake the trip.
“The delegation will fly on a special aircraft, so as to create a travel bubble to Indonesia.
“The delegation is required to undergo a swab test upon their arrival at the airport in Jakarta. Only individuals with negative test results, which are verified by Indonesian authorities, will then be taken directly to their accommodation.”
It said the delegation’s movements in Indonesia will be limited.
“There will be no physical contact – no handshakes, hugs or touching throughout the duration of the official visit.
“The Indonesian government has given their assurance that the visit will be held under strict Covid-19 SOPs.”
Several world leaders have visited Indonesia during the pandemic, including Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga last October, former United States secretary of state Mike Pompeo (October) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (January 13). – Bernama, February 3, 2021
