ID :
139380
Thu, 08/26/2010 - 10:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/139380
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIA ASKS INDONESIA TO ENSURE SAFETY OF MALAYSIANS IN THE REPUBLIC
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 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 (Foreign Ministry) 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 Wedmesday.
They also had information that the Bendera group was planning to "sweep" all
Malaysian nationals in Jakarta Wednesday 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, 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
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 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 (Foreign Ministry) 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 Wedmesday.
They also had information that the Bendera group was planning to "sweep" all
Malaysian nationals in Jakarta Wednesday 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, 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
