Inside ASEAN Column

Inside ASEAN

Written by Bureau of International Relations, the Secretariat of the House of Representatives

Translated by Bureau of Foreign Languages, the Secretariat of the Senate

Bilateral Meetings in the Republic of Indonesia

        The delegation of Thailand-Indonesia Parliamentarians Friendship Group, led by Mr. Anusart Suwanmongkol, member of National Legislative Assembly as President of the Friendship Group attended bilateral meetings in the Republic of Indonesia during 26 - 30 October 2018 to promote good relations between the two Parliaments. It will lead to an effective channel to develop relationship in other aspects.

          The delegation of the Thailand -Indonesia Parliamentarians Friendship Group consists of:

          (1) Mr. Anusart Suwanmongkol, member of National Legislative Assembly as President of the Friendship Group, (2) Mrs. Saowanee Suwannacheep, member of National Legislative Assembly and member of Executive Committee of the Friendship Group , (3) Assoc. Prof. Chusak Limsakul, member of National Legislative Assembly and member of Executive Committee and  Secretary of the Friendship Group, and the personnel of the Secretariats of the Senate and the House of Representatives performing the duties of secretary to the delegation.

     On Friday 26 October 2018 in Jakarta, the delegation headed by Mr. Anusart Suwanmongkol, member of National Legislative Assembly as President of the Thailand-Indonesia Parliamentarians Friendship Group, had a discussion with H.E. Mr. Songphol Sukchan, Ambassador of Thailand to Indonesia, about current situations in Indonesia and cooperations and assistance in various aspects. In July 2018, the Royal Thai Embassy in Jakarta gave, Thai tourists stuck in Mount Rinjani on Lombok Island, a hand and sent they returned to Thailand safely. Later the Thai government by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, donated money and goods to victims of the earthquake and tsunami on Sulawesi Island on 28 September 2018. The Thai government in cooperation with private sector gave approximately 10 million baht to the Indonesian Government and also generators and tents requested by Indonesia. Thailand and Indonesia have closely cooperated among each other in many aspects, especially in education. The number of Thai-Muslim students in Indonesia is in the second highest rank after Egypt. There are around 1,900 students, mostly from the southern border provinces of Thailand. In addition, “Indonesia also grants scholarships” to Thai-Muslim students in the southern border provinces and other provinces of Thailand and through 4 government agencies and Islamic organizations in Indonesia which are:  (1) Muhammadiyah Islamic Organization (2) Nahdlatu Ulama Islamic Organization (3) Ministry of Religion Affairs and (4) Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education. This is to provide opportunities to Thai students graduating from high schools to further their studies in universities in different branches (not only in Islamic study). It is beneficial to their future career and Indonesia’s Moderate Islam.

          On Monday 29 October 2018 at Indonesia Parliament Building, the Delegation paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Fahri Hamzah, Vice President of the House of Representatives, the Republic of Indonesia. Then the Delegation had a bilateral meeting with Hon. Mr. Ayub Khan, Vice President of the Indonesia – Thailand Parliamentary Friendship Group, Ms. Dwie Aroem Hadiatie, member of House of Representatives and the member of committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation. H.E. Mr. Songphol Sukchan, Ambassador of Thailand to Indonesia, also participated in the 2 events. The important topics were the good relations and cooperation between Thailand and the Republic of Indonesia such as educational relations, smart city establishment, halal food industries, solutions to illegal fishery and political developments of both countries.

         On Saturday 27 October 2018 in Bandung, the Republic of Indonesia, the delegation visited Mme. Popong Otje Djundjunand, member of the House of Representatives, at her residence. She has been elected to be Bundung’s Representative since 1987 and has served for 31 years until now. Her current term is 2014 – 2019. She has dedicated her time for people in Bandung and has done many good things for the cities. She received over 600 certificates as proofs of her contribution to take care of Bandung’s people and develop Bundung as it is nowadays. On this occasion, Prof. Bermawi Priyatna Iskandar from Bandung Institute of Technology (Institut Teknologi Bandung - ITB) also jointed the meeting. Bandung Institute of Technology is a former educational institute H.E. Sukarno, the first President of Indonesia. At present, the Institute is offering educational to approximately 17,000 students.

         On Sunday 28 October 2018 at the Museum of Asian-African Conference, Bandung, the delegation visited the Museum of Asian-African Conference and received a presentation. Ms. Meinarti Fauzie, Director of the Museum of Asian-African Conference gave a warm welcome to the delegation. On this occasion, the Royal Thai Embassy in Jakarta brought Thai students in Bandung, the Republic of Indonesia to visit the museum with the delegation, enabling the students to gain knowledge and beneficial ideas from the museum.

          In the afternoon, the delegation had a meeting with Thai Students Association in Indonesia (TSAI) to follow up education progress and challenges. They also discussed and exchanged ideas, which benefited the Association. After the discussion, the delegation presented a fund from their personal money to Thai Students Association in Indonesia for further beneficial activities for Thai students in the Republic of Indonesia.

---------------------------------------