RI, Malaysia must ‘resolve conflict through negotiations’

Negotiating territorial borders is the only way to ending the frequent disputes between Indonesia and Malaysia, says a Malaysian envoy, following a recent flare up in Tanjung Berakit waters, Riau Island province.

Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Dato’ Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin said it would be up to both the Indonesian and Malaysian foreign ministers to decide on the best time to negotiate Indonesia-Malaysia border disputes.

“This has to be resolved. Both foreign ministers must find a time for negotiations,” he said Thursday.

“It’s a process, not an overnight [solution],” he added.

The latest dispute occurred when Malaysian Marine Police detained three Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry inspectors last Friday after the latter and other Indonesian officers, who arrested seven Malaysian fishermen for trespassing and illegally fishing in Indonesian waters, had ignored the Malaysian officers’ warning shots.