MALAYSIAN EMBASSY, MUHAMMADIYAH DISCUSS ESTABLISHMENT OF MALINDO MADANI COUNCIL IN JAKARTA

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, March 13 (Bernama) -- The establishment of the Malaysia-Indonesia Madani Council (Malindo) and the future of Southeast Asia as a centre of Islamic civilisation were the topics discussed at a meeting of prominent figures from the Indonesian Islamic organisation, Muhammadiyah, and the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta.

Prominent Muhammadiyah figures present at the iftar and gathering event with the Ambassador in Central Jakarta on Wednesday included former Chairman of the Central Leadership, Prof. Din Syamsuddin, Chairman of the Central Leadership, Buya Anwar Abbas, and Secretary General of the Indonesian Ulema Council, Dr. Amirsyah Tambunan.

Established in 1912, Muhammadiyah is one of the most influential Islamic organisations in Indonesia, with over 60 million followers. It actively promotes education, social welfare, and a modern approach to Islam.

Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia, Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin, stated that the discussion fosters renewal and strengthening of relations between the people of both countries, contributing to a broader global civilisation.

He also conveyed Muhammadiyah's interest in Malaysia's "Madani" policy introduced by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and proposed the establishment and first meeting of the Malindo Madani Council.

“We will fine-tune the best mechanisms to ensure its successful implementation," he told Bernama.

Syed Mohamad Hasrin believes that the participation of other Islamic organisations in the future may also be crucial for promoting unity, civilisation, and economic development.

Elaborating further, Din Syamsuddin stated that the steps to achieve this aim include the establishment of committees in both countries to determine the number of participants, consisting of Muslim scholars, as well as the topics and locations for meetings, whether in Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta.

“The proposed Malindo Madani Council will strengthen the relationship between the two countries and discuss Anwar's vision of a 'Madani' nation, which could serve as a model for global civilisation development," he said.

Buya Anwar expressed hope that the relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia will be more meaningful, as solidarity and unity among the leaders of both countries need to be fostered to realise a unique Southeast Asian civilisation for the benefit of both nations.

He added that Southeast Asia, with its large Muslim population exceeding 300 million, has the potential to shift the centre of Islamic civilisation from the Middle East to this region.

"It is not impossible to make Southeast Asia the centre of global Islamic civilisation," emphasised Buya Anwar.

Also present at the event were the Deputy Chief of Mission Farzamie Sarkawi, Minister at the Embassy Hairul Reaza Haroun Al Rashid, Defence Attaché Brigadier General Azrin Iskandar Zulkaply, Religious Attaché Mohd Shamsuri Ghazali, and First Secretary Mohd Faiz Firdaus Kamaruddin.

-- BERNAMA