FUTILE ATTEMPT TO DRIVE WEDGE BETWEEN M'SIA, INDONESIA, SAYS MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Information Communication and Culture
Minister Dr Rais Yatim said Thursday any attempt to drive a wedge between
Indonesia and Malaysia would be in vain so long as their bilateral ties were
close.

"So long as the Indonesian leaders and the legitimately elected government
do not adopt a negative stand, Malaysia and Indonesia will continue to enjoy
close ties and friendship," he told reporters here.

It was the duty of all quarters to rectify any negative perception aimed at
tarnishing the relationship, he said when commenting on reports that members of
a group calling itself Benteng Demokratik Rakyat (Bendera) wanted to invade
Malaysia Thursday bearing samurai swords and bamboo spears to avenge alleged
wrongs committed against Indonesia.

"It is futile for them to do so (invade Malaysia). It is better for them to
look ahead to a future where a globalised world demands close relations between
Malaysia and Indonesia in the humanitarian, political, cultural, social and
trade context," he said.

Dr Rais said he would make a one-day visit to quake-hit Padang in Sumatra on
Sunday with Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to look at the relief
operations, and would take the opportunity then to explain the actual situation.


Malaysian relief and medical teams have helped out in the search and rescue
operations in Padang where a 7.9-magnitude quake struck on Sept 30.

Earlier, Dr Rais attended an Eid al-Fitr reception organised by Pos Malaysia
Berhad at a hotel here.
-- BERNAMA