M'SIA DENIES NAVAL VESSEL ENCROACHED INTO DISPUTED WATERS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 (Bernama) -- Chief of Defence Forces Gen Abdul
Aziz Zainal Thursday dismissed Indonesian media reports claiming that a
Malaysian
naval vessel had encroached into the disputed waters of Block ND6 and ND7, or
Ambalat as it is known in Indonesia, in the Sulawesi Sea.

He said the Indonesian military should not make unfounded claims by issuing
statements to the media.

"Both our countries have an understanding. If there is any confusion on the
issue, it is preferable to use the existing committee and not the media," he
told reporters after launching the "one house-one computer" programme at Wisma
Pertahanan, here.

Gen Abdul Aziz said issues concerning the waters of both countries should be
discussed at the level of the technical committee set up by both the countries.

He said he would fly to Jakarta on Tuesday to discuss military-related
issues.

The Indonesian media reported last week what it claimed as an encroachment
by a Malaysian naval vessel in the disputed oil-rich waters.

The media reports said patrolling Indonesian naval vessels were on the verge
of opening fire on the Malaysian patrol ship after it ignored orders to leave
the area.

The encounter was described as one of the worst incidents of its kind since
the dispute began over those waters.

-- BERNAMA