Even with the 1824 Anglo-Dutch Treaty, which delineated our lands into British and Dutch spheres, the cultural threads linking us remained unbroken.
In Kalimantan Barat, I was particularly struck by the linguistic and cultural similarities between Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia. With approximately 85% of their vocabulary being remarkably similar, it felt as though I was conversing across time and space.
I was also amazed to see that traditional dances and batik patterns in Indonesia mirrored those in Malaysia, vividly illustrating our intertwined cultural heritage. Moreover, Indonesia’s remarkable ethnic diversity — including Javanese, Balinese, Sumatran, and Chinese communities — reflects Malaysia’s own rich tapestry.
Today, Indonesia stands as a beacon of progress in Southeast Asia, propelled by a dynamic, youthful population and abundant natural resources. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail, ASEAN’s first bullet train, not only shortens travel time but also represents the nation’s rapid advances in infrastructure and economic development.
