Outgoing Indonesian Consul-General: Sibu an excellent model for friendship city ties, regional cooperation
SIBU (April 29): Sibu serves as the best model for fostering international friendship and cooperation, said outgoing Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching Raden Sigit Witjaksono.
Speaking at his appreciation and farewell ceremony on Sunday night, Raden said the close relationship forged between Sibu and various parties in Indonesia, including friendship city ties, demonstrated how regional cooperation can be effectively carried out.
'Sibu has become my second home and a symbol of the close ties between Indonesia and Sarawak.
'Efforts such as the collaboration between Sibu and Singkawang as well as participation in the Borneo Cultural Festival are examples of successful people-to-people relations,' he said.
He emphasised that initiatives like these should be strengthened to further enhance cross-border ties between Indonesia and Malaysia, particularly in the Borneo region.
Raden also highlighted other achievements throughout his three years of service, including in the areas of economy, education, healthcare, tourism, and infrastructure.
'Various cooperation projects have been initiated. This provides a strong foundation for my successor to elevate these relationships to greater heights,' he said, while expressing hopes the momentum would continue.
He also touched on the potential for closer relations between Sarawak and Kalimantan, especially with the relocation of Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara, to East Kalimantan.
'The development of Nusantara will open up even more opportunities to strengthen ties not only with Sarawak, but with the whole of Borneo, including Sabah and Brunei.'
Raden said the development of diplomatic relations should not only focus on the government and business levels, but must also be enhanced through people-to-people ties, such as through cultural and education programmes as well as student exchanges.
He stressed that strong relations between government (G2G), business (B2B), and the people (people-to-people) are key to long-term success.
'My family and I will always cherish our memories of Sibu. If given the chance, we would love to return here, to our second home,' he said.
Among those present were Raden's wife, Ibu Lucy Octavia Witjaksono and his son Farid Ryo Takashi Wicaksono; Rimbunan Hijau Group group managing director and Mafrica Group chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King; University of Technology Sarawak vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Khairuddin Abd Hamid; Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) president Datuk Lau Cheng Kiong; Rimbunan Hijau Group, Mafrica Group and Rimbunan Sawit Berhad general manager (corporate relations) Dato Thomas Tieng Mee Tung; and his wife Datin Nee Lay King.
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