Malaysia Asks Indonesia To Ensure Safety Of Malaysians In The Republic – Bernama
August 25, 2010 21:11 PM
Malaysia Asks Indonesia To Ensure Safety Of Malaysians In The Republic
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By: Ramjit
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PUTRAJAYA, Aug 25 (Bernama) — Malaysia has asked the Indonesian government to ensure the safety of Malaysians in the republic as a small group of demonstrators in Jakarta turns its attention on the Malaysian ambassador’s residence to vent its anger after having targeted the country’s embassy there.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said Wednesday the demonstration at the embassy on Monday, where human faeces was thrown into the compound and the Malaysian flag was defiled, had tarnished the image of not only Malaysia but also Indonesia.
Anifah spoke to reporters after a meeting with Indonesia’s Deputy Ambassador to Malaysia, Tatang B. Razak, at Wisma Putra to obtain an explanation on the demonstration.
The demonstrators, from the so-called Benteng Demokrasi Rakyat (Bendera), had held the protest over the alleged arrest of three Indonesian maritime and fisheries officers by Malaysian enforcement officers in the waters near the Indonesian island of Bintan on Aug 13.
Indonesian maritime and fisheries authorities had also detained seven Malaysian fishermen there. All the fishermen and officers have since been released by both authorities.
Anifah said Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr Marty Natalegawa would come to Malaysia on Sept 6 for a meeting with him on the demonstration issue.
“They also show seriousness because they have now a parliament session. They have called the ambassador (to Malaysia) back. The Indonesian government is very concerned about our reaction. That is why they seek our understanding in that matter. I have told them we have come to the limit,” he said.
He also said that at today’s meeting, he expressed regret and strongly condemned the action by certain quarters in Indonesia which were bent on undermining the good relations between the leaders and people of both countries.
He said he emphasised to Tatang the need for the Indonesian authorities to ensure that barricades were set up at a certain distance so as to prevent demonstrators from hurling objects into the compound of the embassy or consulates.
Replying to a question, Anifah said: “The people of Malaysia have been very patient despite the threat to the country’s sovereignty.
“We want to maintain cordial relations, and we understand that this is the work of a small group of people. As such, Malaysia has exercised restraint and will not resort to anything similar.
“However, how long the Malaysian people can be patient is something we have to consider. We ask that the demonstrations should at least be held in a peaceful manner without instigating and belittling our citizens,” he said.
Asked whether the incident could undermine bilateral relations, Anifah said both he and Dr Natalegawa had agreed that the situation should be handled in a rational manner.
“I have explained to the Cabinet why up to the stage of the Aug 16 incident (demonstration), I have not called the Ambassador of Indonesia to come and explain. It was simply because I am directly online with my Indonesian counterpart.
“The Indonesian foreign minister requested, and I have agreed, that we must not be emotional in handling the matter. We must look at it squarely based on our good relations,” he said.
“They have their domestic political problem but we do not want Malaysia to become a victim. This I have conveyed to him but they seek our understanding. While they are trying to solve the problem internally, they are also seeking our understanding (to) assist them not to make things worse.
“By assisting them not to make things worse doesn’t mean we are giving in. In international relations like this, we have to give and take. This much we can give you but beyond that we must protect the integrity of the people of our country. We have come to the point whereby it is already beyond our patience,” said Anifah.
Saying that it was important for immediate action to be taken against those who had stomped on and burned the Malaysian flag, Anifah stated that Malaysia would issue a travel advisory if necessary.
“We will monitor the situation. For the time being, after what has happened over the last few days, I would advise Malaysians not to travel to Indonesia unless there is something very urgent for them to settle,” he said.
In JAKARTA, Bernama correspondent Ahmad Fuad Yahya reports that the demonstrators were planning to target the Malaysian ambassador’s residence next as well as the offices of Bank CIMB Niaga and Petronas after that.
Indonesian police, acting on information, have enforced tight control around the ambassador’s residence by stationing more than 200 personnel there since 9.30am Wednesday.
They also had information that the Bendera group was planning to “sweep” all Malaysian nationals in Jakarta today and advised Malaysian journalists to keep away from the demonstrators.
All Malaysian students in Jakarta have been advised not to use Jalan Diponegoro in Menteng to avoid becoming targets of attack by the Bendera group.
The director of the Malaysian Students Department in Indonesia, Datuk Dr Junaidy Abu Bakar, advised the students to move about in groups and to immediately contact him or student leaders should they be threatened by anyone.
— BERNAMA
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