JAKARTA, March 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia-Indonesia relations are based on long-standing cultural and historical ties and should not be undermined by minor issues that cause misunderstanding between the peoples of both countries, Indonesian communications and information minister Tifatul Sembiring said.

Tifatul, who earlier received visiting Malaysian Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, said Indonesia and Malaysia were of the same cultural roots.

"We are the same... when we serve the Minang food to Datuk Rais, it is tohis taste.

"This goes to show that our cultural roots, even our taste buds, are the same. This cultural similarity will undoubtedly benefit further from programmes such as exchange of visits," he said.

On the contrary, he said, if there were little communications between Indonesia and Malaysia, there were bound to be misunderstanding and small issues could get blown out of proportion.

He suggested that literary elements such as pantun competition be used to further expand the relations.

To a question, he said, issues affecting the relations of both countries could be resolved in stages through more programmes such as exchange of visits.

Tifatul also felt that programmes such as the Warta Serumpun news exchange should continue so that the peoples of both countries were able to get the actual picture of events in each other's countries.

This was more so as Indonesia had its own brand of democracy in the post-reformation era where the people were free to say what they liked even to the extend of jeopardising relations between countries, he said.

During his visit here, Dr Rais also attended a musical performance by Malaysian artistes at the Best of Asean Performing Arts titled "1Malaysia: Harmony in Cultural Diversity".

The event was organised by the Asean Secretariat here.