New Straits Times-May 2, 2025

For over 60 years, Malaysia and Indonesia have had brotherly feuds over geopolitics, cross-border crime and even pop culture. This rivalry is particularly evident in sport, more so when the two nations squared off in eight Thomas Cup finals, with Indonesia victorious in six. Squabbles over the proprietorship of traditional songs, cuisine and costumes flare up every now and again but have petered out peacefully. There is deference though. Malaysian literati often pay obeisance to Indonesian greats, such as novelist Pramoedya Ananta Toer and poet Chairil Anwar. Read more at: https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/leaders/2025/05/1210719/nst-leader-brotherly-nations-join-hands-fight-crime First published in New Straits Times