Tuesday July 8, 2008
Young people and more women wanted
KUALA LUMPUR: Wanted – young people and bigger women representation to promote closer ties between Malaysia and Indonesia.
The youth representative is missing and there is only one woman representative from the list of 14 names of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) launched yesterday by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
At a press conference after the launching ceremony, both leaders spoke of the need to engage the young in managing and improving bilateral ties when an Indonesian journalist got up and asked why the EPG list did not have youth representation.
The room roared with laughter as both leaders looked at their EPG members seated in front of them, mostly comprising senior prominent people in politics, education, religion and culture.
Susilo quickly pointed to his youth EPG representation, Wahyuni Bahar, a 47-year-old businessman who is a member of the Indonesian chambers of commerce.
Abdullah’s reply : “They are not old. They are young at heart.”
The EPG was established following annual consultations between the two leaders. Its task is to formulate practical recommendations for promoting closer Indonesia-Malaysia relations.
The EPG from Malaysia is led by former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam, Sabah deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, former Armed Forces chief Jen (Rtd) Tan Sri Zahidi Zainuddin, historian Tan Sri Prof Dr Khoo Kay Kim, former chief secretary to the government Tan Sri Halim Ali, former Sarawak state secretary Tan Sri Dr Hamid Bugo, and Ikim director-general Datuk Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas.
Indonesia’s EPG is led by former vice-president Try Sutrisno, former foreign minister Ali Alattas, former religious affairs minister Dr Quraisy Shihab, historian Des Alwi Abubakar, sociologist Dr Musni Umar, academician Dr Pudentia Maria Purenti and Wahyuni.
Asked why Malaysia’s line-up did not include youth and women representatives, Musa said since the number was limited, the Prime Minister included representation from Sabah and Sarawak as they were direct neighbours with Indonesia.
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