Malaysia, Indonesia Sign Addendum On Education

PUTRAJAYA, July 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Indonesia tonight signed an Addendum of Cooperation between Malaysian and Indonesian schools as a continuation to the Memorandum of Understanding on education, which was signed by both countries in August 1998.

The addendum was signed by Education Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Dr Zulkurnain Awang, on behalf of Malaysian schools, and Prof Dr Fasli Jalal, the Director-General of the Indonesian National Education Department, representing the Indonesian schools.

The signing of the document was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla, at Sri Satria, the official residence of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Najib also hosted a dinner for the Indonesian delegation at his official residence.

The Education Ministry said in a statement that the Addendum of Cooperation was included in the concept of school linkages between both countries encompassing aspects such as leadership, information technology, arts and sports at the secondary and primary school levels.

"These school linkages, which had been agreed upon by Malaysia and Indonesia involved schools which have been identified for the linkage and they include the Prime Minister's school (Bukit Mertajam High School), the Deputy Prime Minister's school (St John's Institution, Kuala Lumpur), the Education Minister's school (Malay College Kuala Kangsar), Higher Education Minister's school (Sultan Ismail College, Kota Baharu) and the schools of the Indonesian President (Sek Menengah Atas Negeri (SMAN) I, Pacitan, East Jawa), Vice-President (SMAN III Makasar, South Sulawesi) and the National Education Minister (SMAN I, Tumanggung, Central Jawa)," the statement added.