Jakarta-KL Dispute

Aug 27, 2010

JAKARTA - KL MARITIME DISPUTE

Mob burns M'sia flag

Angry right-wing protesters demand 'more respect' from KL

By Lynn Lee, Indonesia Correspondent

Indonesian protesters shouting slogans in front of the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta yesterday. Some of the protesters, from right-wing civic groups, burned the Malaysian flag in protest against the arrest of three maritime officials in disputed waters. -- PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

JAKARTA - MORE than 200 Indonesian protesters rallied outside the Malaysian Embassy yesterday - some of them burning the Malaysian flag.

The protesters were members of right-wing civic organisations demanding that Malaysia show 'more respect to Indonesia'.

The demonstration caused a traffic snarl but at 3pm, the protesters left on buses that had been waiting nearby, reported Indonesian online media.

Yesterday's protest came a few days after police arrested three Indonesians for hurling faeces at the Malaysian embassy, and a day after Indonesian legislators pressed the Foreign Ministry to demand an apology from Malaysia and recall the country's ambassador.

Their anger stems from the arrest of three Indonesian maritime officials earlier this month in disputed waters. Both countries have claimed the area as theirs.

The men have since been freed but lawmakers on Wednesday alleged that the officials had been handcuffed and made to wear prison garb by the Malaysian authorities, stoking the anger of some Indonesians.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.