20000222

FM invites Mahathir to visit Indonesia help revive economy

KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia on Monday invited Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to pay an official visit to see how Malaysia can help pull its neighbour out of the economic crisis. "We hope Pak (honorific) Mahathir can come to Indonesia soon and see what can be contributed to revive Indonesia's economy," said visiting Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab.

"I am sure Pak Mahathir wishes to help Indonesia according to Malaysia's capabilities. Malaysia has never deserted Indonesia during our crisis".

Shihab was speaking after a meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Alabar, who said Mahathir would visit as soon as possible.

The Indonesian minister was due to meet Mahathir later Monday to convey President Abdurrahman Wahid's official invitation.

Describing relations as never better, Shihab told a press conference: "We respect the mandate the Malaysian people gave to Mahathir (in last November's election), which shows that Mahathir is loved by his people".

He praised the premier for "bringing development without resorting to conventional methods" and said Indonesia wanted to learn from Malaysia's approach in overcoming the economic crisis which engulfed East Asia in 1997.

Asked about weekend comments by President Wahid that rumours of a cabinet reshuffle were designed to undermine his presidency, Shihab said: "Opposition groups always try to sometimes go beyond the conventional way of opposition. Everywhere you find such elements.

Asked if he trusted the Indonesian military, he replied: "Yes, of course. As an institution, we trust".

Fears of a coup in Jakarta receded after former armed forces chief General Wiranto said February 14 he accepted Wahid's decision to suspend him from the cabinet pending an investigation into human rights violations in East Timor.ÑAFP