TNI CHIEF: JEMUR ISLE PART OF INDONESIA

Jakarta, Sept. 2 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) has said Jemur Isle which is part of the Arwah Islands in Riau Province belongs to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

"It's not true that it is part of Malaysia. It is part of NKRI," TNI Chief General Djoko Santoso said in Bekasi, West Java, on Wednesday.

He said the TNI was always protecting and defending Indonesian territory , including the country's outermost islands bordering foreign countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

"The TNI always makes efforts to be present in all regions of Indonesia, including Jemur Isle. There is a TNI Naval post there. We also carry out air and maritime patrols routinely," the general said.

A website called traveljournals.net recently described Jemur Isle as one of the tourist destinations of the Malaysian State of Selangor.

In the Sulawesi Sea, the Ambalat maritime area is being claimed by both Indonesia and Malaysia as part of their respective territory.

The TNI Commander said all problems concerning Indonesia's borders with other countries would be dealt with through diplomatic channels.

"TNI's task is to protect Indonesian territory. If a problem comes up, the government will handle it diplomatically," he said.

Indonesia and Malaysia have been conducting negotiations on a dispute over the Ambalat maritime area which has been claimed by both countries as part of their respective territory.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda recently said Indonesia and Malaysia had achieved progress in their negotiations over the overlapping claims on an area in Sulawesi waters known as Ambalat.
The progress was among other things thanks to the presence of a renewed negotiating team of Malaysia which helped smooth the negotiations, the minister said at the presidential palace recently after meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

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