KOTA KINABALU: Indonesian Consul Rudhito Widagdo has been in the foreign service for 26 years and yet there are still people who think he is tenaga kerja Indonesia, a labourer. "The misconception is something I have learnt to accept. At the same time, I strive harder to explain to people that not all Indonesians are labourers," said Rudhito, who is attached to the Indonesian Consulate here.

Rudhito said this during a reception held during the weekend, where former Sabah chief minister Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh handed a report to the Indonesian Consulate on a fact-finding trip to Kalimantan from Jan 18 to 29.

"I am grateful that Datuk Harris managed to get up close and personal with the people as well as the administrators and leaders there during the trip.

"Judging by the report, it is evident that the group has cleared much of the misperception about what my country has to offer," he said.

A copy of the 16-page report will be given to the Sabah government and the Foreign Ministry as reference for Malaysians who are keen to invest in Kalimantan.

The consulate will also use the report for a similar purpose, said Abas Basori, an official here who was in the group with Harris during the 2,500km journey from Nunukan to Pontianak.

Abas said the trip had opened up doors to new friendships, partnerships and better understanding between the people and the government.

Harris, who extended a copy of the report to the chairman of Berjaya Foundation, Tan Sri Thomas Jayasuria, said Malaysia, especially Sabah, would lose out if it failed to capitalise on Kalimantan as an emerging economic force.

"I foresee Kalimantan becoming a strong economic force in the next five to 10 years," he said.