Other Publications
Don't harass Malaysians, SBY says
Erwida Maulia and Ary Hermawan , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 09/11/2009 3:11 PM | World
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told the Indonesian public on Thursday not to harass Malaysian citizens residing in the country, saying the actions taken by a group of nationalist earlier in the week were "excessive".
The president said the group broke the law and risked harming ties between Indonesia and Malaysia when it set up a road block in Central Jakarta looking for Malaysians to "sweep" out of the country.
"The *Indonesian* government has done our part. We have officially protested and taken diplomatic actions. We are working, and the Eminent Persons Group *a group established to improve Indonesia-Malaysia ties* is working. Why does there have to be such excessive actions?" said Yudhoyono at the Presidential Office.
The President reminded the nation that about 1.8 million Indonesian citizens are currently working, living or studying in Malaysia, and that they could face the consequences of the harassment.
"On principal issues, like territorial boundaries, we have to be firm. On the Ambalat dispute, on things related to national sovereignty, we're being firm. On other issues I believe there is still a better way out," the President said.
The Jakarta police dispersed a group of people who conducted an ID check targeting Malaysian nationals on Tuesday, following a series of spats between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur over their alleged cultural "theft" and ongoing border disputes.
Malaysia is concerned by the incident and has summoned Indonesia's Ambassador, Da'i Bachtiar for clarification and to assure the safety of its citizens living in Indonesia.
Malaysia's Foreign Ministry issued Wednesday a statement urging the Indonesian government "to take the necessary actions in order to ensure the welfare and well-being of Malaysian citizens in Indonesia are taken care of, as well as to ensure that such aggressive actions of certain extremists in Indonesia are curtailed immediately."
Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Nanan Sukarna said on Thursday the police could not ban citizens from expressing their opinions, but made it clear they would not tolerate flag-burnings or the interrogation of members of the public.
Nanan however played down Tuesday's bullying by the nationalist groups, saying the media should not hype such incidents. He added that there had been no official request from the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta to boost security near their premises, although the activists said they planned to conduct the next rally near the embassy.
"We will do our job as usual," he said.
What's On
- Indonesia Furniture Fair
11/14/2009 11/22/2009 Jakarta Convention Center - Indonesia Maternity & Baby Expo 2009
11/20/2009 11/22/2009 Jakarta Convention Center
- Festival of India
10/29/2009 12/15/2009 Balai Kartini & Umar Ismail Hall, Jakarta
- Imagemakers of the Future: Photography exhibition
10/10/2009 11/30/2009 Alila Ubud Desa Melinggih Kelod Payangan, Gianyar 80572, Bali - Timeless Change
11/05/2009 12/07/2009 Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Hotel Jimbaran, Bali. - Choreography of Colours; Sardono W. Kusumo's first solo painting exhibition
11/12/2009 12/12/2009 vivi yip art room Annexe Ciputra World Marketing Gallery Jalan Prof Satrio Kav 11, Casablanca
Parameswara (not verified), Palembang — Sun, 09/13/2009 - 7:26am
You mean Indonesian Goverment does not immediately stop such group which take law into their own hands. Then if they are not careful this group will grow bolder. Is the goverment and police efficient enough to protect investors,foriegners and visitors visiting your country as i can see they can be quite tempermental and brutal in killing even their own people living in Indonesia. The failure to understand the flow of culture of Hinduism from India to Bali,and then to Singapore or Malaysia is normal. We cant call it steal except replication of culture. (India and China never complain their dance in S.E.Asia , that show the countries replicating is promoting for the region. So dont create trouble, please wake up and be more receptive to the changing time. Repercussion will take place if one is not careful and the whole country suffer because of one group trying to grap the lime light. There should be a proper platform for friendly discussion. (This is not a Franciase or copyright we steal)