Objective mindset – the eclipsed dimension in the maintenance of harmonious Indonesia-Malaysia relations

Objective mindset is the ability and willingness to examine issues according to the facts of the matter. Facts are realities as they happen. This paper articulates the thesis that so many negative descriptions and discussions of recent issues affecting the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Malaysia have transpired from approaches which do not quite respect objective thinking based on facts, and caused thereby unnecessary unease and tensions in the bilateral relations of the two neighbouring countries. It does this by alluding to two ‘burning’ issues, namely, the plight of Indonesian domestic helpers in Malaysia, and the social liabilities that Malaysians allegedly suffer from the presence of a large Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia . The paper also outlines possible solutions which purportedly celebrate objective thinking on both sides, driven by the conviction that only in resurrecting such mental attitude lies the realistic hope of straightening distortions and correcting misinformation to restore harmony back into the long and deep relations of these two neighbours.