Malaysia and Indonesia have formed a committe comprising seven members from each country.

Their mission is to find ways on how to promote a greater understanding between the two countries, which many say are very similar with each another, but not so in many other subtle ways.

Some say the that there is also this love-hate relationship especially when much bigger Indonesia is envious of the economic success of Malaysia, and the fact that they are also not saying how we are home to two million of their citizens who find their heaven on earth in Malaysia.

By looking at the list of this committee’s members, I feel very disappointed.

I really do not see how such a group of old men from Malaysia and Indonesia - who will definitely have old ideas - can help to promote greater bilateral ties between our two countries.

What is evident is there is not one linguist, cultural expert or film specialist who has been appointed. The committee instead comprises mostly of those who have long retired from public service.

Considering that most of the people of the two countries were born after the independence of the two countries, would this committee know what makes them tick? I doubt it.

What we need are professionals from both countries and intellectuals who specialise in anthropology, sociology, psychology, history (modern history, not ancient) and cultural experts.

Not retired diplomats or vice-presidents who during their tenure had not been known to have done much to promote bilateral relations between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Even if they say they had tried to, they can be said to have failed, or else some positive effect could still be around.

I have traveled by land from Medan in Northern Sumatera, down the island, across Java Island and to Bali and have met many Indonesians who share similar sentiments as us.

Unfortunately, none seem to be too enamored by what the leaders of the two countries have been doing thus far to promote bilateral relations.

And I doubt if they care that a new committee has been formed for bilateral relations and may wonder if the committee members are in touch with the new realities that we can see and experience in Malaysia and Indonesia.