ASEAN DIPLOMATIC, CONSULAR MISSIONS HERE URGED TO RAISE ASEAN FLAG

GEORGE TOWN (Malaysia), Aug 8 (Bernama) -- The Indonesian consulate here is
urging all diplomatic and consular missions of Asean members states to display
the Asean flag permanently in conjuction with the 44th Anniversary of ASEAN
Monday.

Consulate-general Chilman Arisman said the Asean flag should be raised
permanently at all diplomatic and consular missions of Asean member states
alongside with each member's national flag.

"I am pleased to inform you the decision of Asean member states, that
the Asean flag should be displayed permanently in conjuction with the 44th
anniversary of Asean," he said in his speech during the Asean flag raising
ceremony at the consulate-general of the republic of Indonesia, here Monday.

Also present during the ceremony were the consul-general of Thailand,
Voradet Viravakin, consul general of Japan Tetsuro Kai and chief minister of
Penang Lim Guan Eng.

He said under the Indonesia Asean chairmanship from January until December
2011, the theme of Asean is "Asean Community in a Global Community of Nations".

He said from five original members of Asean since 1967, now Asean had 10
member states namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore,
Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

On the comprehensive management programme for illegal immigrant workers,
Chilman said he had met the state's immigration department to dicuss that
matter.

"We had met with the representative from the immigration and 31 selected
agencies to discuss the Indonesia workers who wish to go back or obtain a job
here," he said.

He said his office had made the preparation to serve for those Indonesian
workers who wishesd to go back to celebrate the 1st of Syawal.

He added that there were about 46,000 registered Indonesian workers here in
Penang, Kedah and Perlis.