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Ahead of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s planned address tonight on the issue of simmering tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia, the Jakarta Globe interviewed a spokesman for Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Sharifuddin Tengku Ahmad. Sharifuddin told the Globe by telephone that he believed the recent anti-Malaysia protests in Indonesia did not reflect the true relationship between the two countries and explained why it was difficult to stop people smuggling.

Jakarta Globe: What do you think about President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono delivering a speech to Malaysians from Indonesian Military (TNI) headquarters?

Sharifuddin Tengku Ahmad: I think the president is concerned about the issue as well, about the growing protests in Indonesia. I don’t know what he’s going to talk about but I guess he wants to address the issue, including the protests in Indonesia.

JG: Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman was quoted last week as saying that Malaysia was “out of patience” with the anti-Malaysian protests. What is the government’s current stance?

Sharifuddin: Today we have a cabinet meeting. I guess this issue must be discussed today. So we will have to wait for the foreign minister to update the cabinet. Whether there would be any update on the position on this issue, we will have to wait until the foreign minister makes a statement on that.

JG: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was quoted by Malaysian state news agency Bernama as saying on Friday that heightened anti-Malaysia protests outside the country’s embassy in Jakarta were staged by paid demonstrators hired to sabotage relations with Indonesia. Are you referring to Bendera group?

Sharifuddin: I think the rally does not represent the state of relations with Indonesia and we believe it’s not the reflection of the current level of cooperation between the two governments.

JG: Is Malaysia still pressing for Indonesian authorities to charge those who threw human excrement at the your embassy in Jakarta and smeared feces on Malaysian flag?

Sharifuddin: I think it’s up to the Indonesian government to act on the matter, we believe the Indonesian government will act based on the law of the country itself. I think it’s up to Indonesian authorities to take action against them with Indonesian law.

JG: What do you believe are the root causes of the tensions between both nations?

Sharifuddin: I think between two countries so close there are bound to be some issues that will flare up from time to time. But in the way some issues are magnified in a negative way. As a whole, the governments know that decisions will be pending at the highest level but from the media and people to people, that kind of thing, probably causing some sort of the conflict.

JG: One of the main tensions is the border dispute. Why can’t you work this out with Indonesia — Isn’t that supposed to be what governments do?

Sharifuddin: I think they are working it out, they have a direct committee at the highest level, it takes time to settle because there are differences between the two governments. That is why a committee is looking into it because it’s not going to be easy.

JG: Admittedly there have been overreactions from many quarters in Indonesia in regards to alleged attempts by Malaysia to claim treasured Indonesian arts and culture. However it is widely accepted that Indonesian migrant workers are exploited in Malaysia and deprived of their human rights. Your response to this?

Sharifuddin: This is an issue ... there are a lot of Indonesians working in the country and I think there is an over amplification of those issues; a lot of these workers are making big contribution to the economy and the growth of Malaysia but there are unfortunate accidents and we have taken actions in cases of abuse and other violations. There is much to be gained from the migrant workers in Malaysia than the negativity. We know that we have taken actions according to Malaysian Law, for example the sentence of Muntik binti Bani employer.

[Muntik binti Bani was an Indonesian maid who was tortured to death by her Malaysian employer last year.]

JG: Malaysia and Thailand have been very successful in stemming smuggling of such things as alcohol between both nations. Why can’t Malaysia do the same thing with smuggling people to and from Indonesia?

Sharifuddin: We have been doing this very successfully. Our borders are now watertight ... but there are also weaknesses as well. We have the human trafficking law also but the economic opportunity is to great for many people. It’s no about a double standard of enforcement and we have a bigger border compared to Thailand. Even the US cannot stop people coming in from Mexico.