RSS Feed
TwitterBorder row: Jakarta condemns Malaysia
Indonesian demonstrators dressed as fishermen sitting in front of paper boats during a protest outside the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta.Picture: AFP
Thursday, August 26, 2010
INDONESIA said yesterday it is investigating reports that Malaysia abused three Indonesian officials after illegally detaining them in Indonesian waters, but called for calm on both sides.
Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told lawmakers that any abuse of an Indonesian official in Malaysian custody would be "unacceptable" under any circumstances.
In response to tough questioning from lawmakers demanding to know what action had been taken, the minister said Jakarta had sent a protest letter to Kuala Lumpur on August 18 in which Indonesia "strongly condemned the arrests ".
"We are gathering information and interviewing the officials about what happened in the detention centre and on the boat," he said, amid conflicting reports about how one of the officials suffered head injuries in custody.
The officials - arrested in disputed waters last week and held for several days before being released Tuesday - complained of being handcuffed and given only one meal a day.
Natalegawa said Indonesia was increasing maritime patrols in waters claimed by both countries off the Riau islands after the latest in a string of incidents and alleged incursions.
"Indonesia never considers those zones as grey areas... On the contrary, we're increasing patrol operations to show our jurisdiction and sovereignty over them," Natalegawa said.
Police said they had boosted security at the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta after protesters managed to hurl a package containing human faeces at the building on Monday.
Three demonstrators were arrested and scores of police backed by water canons prevented them from throwing more, but Malaysia yesterday accused Indonesia of failing to do enough to protect the site.
"We're continuing to monitor the situation," police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar said.
Despite the periodic escalation of tensions between the prickly neighbours, Natalegawa said relations remained strong and called for dialogue to resolve disputes, especially the maritime border.
He rejected a lawmaker's suggestion that Indonesia withdraw its ambassador from Kuala Lumpur, saying this would be counter-productive.
Officials from both sides would meet "in the coming weeks" to discuss the maritime border.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Monday there could be "no compromise" over Indonesian territory.AFP
Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told lawmakers that any abuse of an Indonesian official in Malaysian custody would be "unacceptable" under any circumstances.
In response to tough questioning from lawmakers demanding to know what action had been taken, the minister said Jakarta had sent a protest letter to Kuala Lumpur on August 18 in which Indonesia "strongly condemned the arrests ".
"We are gathering information and interviewing the officials about what happened in the detention centre and on the boat," he said, amid conflicting reports about how one of the officials suffered head injuries in custody.
The officials - arrested in disputed waters last week and held for several days before being released Tuesday - complained of being handcuffed and given only one meal a day.
Natalegawa said Indonesia was increasing maritime patrols in waters claimed by both countries off the Riau islands after the latest in a string of incidents and alleged incursions.
"Indonesia never considers those zones as grey areas... On the contrary, we're increasing patrol operations to show our jurisdiction and sovereignty over them," Natalegawa said.
Police said they had boosted security at the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta after protesters managed to hurl a package containing human faeces at the building on Monday.
Three demonstrators were arrested and scores of police backed by water canons prevented them from throwing more, but Malaysia yesterday accused Indonesia of failing to do enough to protect the site.
"We're continuing to monitor the situation," police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar said.
Despite the periodic escalation of tensions between the prickly neighbours, Natalegawa said relations remained strong and called for dialogue to resolve disputes, especially the maritime border.
He rejected a lawmaker's suggestion that Indonesia withdraw its ambassador from Kuala Lumpur, saying this would be counter-productive.
Officials from both sides would meet "in the coming weeks" to discuss the maritime border.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Monday there could be "no compromise" over Indonesian territory.AFP
0 comments:
Post a Comment