ARAU: Perlis’s strategic position bordering Thailand and its proximity to northern Sumatra provide opportunities to strengthen cross-border cooperation and regional networks.
This was shared by Istana Arau following a meeting between the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Malaysia, Raden Datuk Mohammad Iman Hascarya, at the Blue Audience Hall, Istana Arau, yesterday.
Also present was Indonesian Consul General in Penang, Wanton Saragih Sidauruk.
The meeting underscored the longstanding relationship between Malaysia, including Perlis, and Indonesia.
Ties between Perlis and Indonesia, according to Istana Arau, have been strengthened through cooperation in education, particularly with the establishment of Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM) in the state.
“UMAM in Perlis is the first and only Universitas Muhammadiyah campus outside Indonesia, and it recently appointed the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, as its Chancellor,” read the statement issued today.
Istana Arau added that there is also active engagement in the economic, trade and tourism sectors, as well as in people-to-people ties, thereby creating more opportunities for the exchange of expertise, economic prospects and mutual benefit.
Port authorities in Belawan (Sumatra, Indonesia), Penang and Perlis recently signed a memorandum to establish a 388km-long trade route to bring Indonesian commodities to the northern peninsula states and the rest of Southeast Asia.
Wanton was then quoted by national news agency Bernama as saying the Belawan port would serve as a key gateway in Sumatra to strengthen the distribution of goods across regional markets, Penang Port as a transshipment hub, and Perlis Inland Port as a land logistics link to Southeast Asia and East Asia.
A memorandum of collaboration between the three parties was signed on May 30 in conjunction with the opening of the Perlis Inland Clearance Depot and Free Trade Zone.
As the Belawan port is only 255km from Penang, while Perlis Inland Port lies a further 133km away, the route was more efficient than the conventional Belawan-Singapore route, which was almost twice as long.
Image: Istana Arau
