Issue: ‘Malaysia’s travel warning is unwise’

Aug. 26, Online: The House of Representatives Commission I on foreign affairs says that the Malaysian government should have acted more wisely before issuing a travel warning for its citizens to visit Indonesia. “The Malaysian authorities should understand that Indonesian people’s anger has been mounting over the continual border disputes between the two countries,” the commission chairman, Mahfudz Siddiq from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), told reporters at the House in Jakarta on Thursday. “We understand that Malaysia might be angry too, over the recent rally at its embassy [in Jakarta], but they should not issue a policy that will only heat things up even further,” Mahfudz added, referring to a recent rally during which demonstrators threw human feces at the Malaysian embassy. Mahfudz said Malaysia should have used Indonesian anger as a basis to be more serious in resolving border disputes. The latest dispute revolves around the arrest of three Indonesian officers patrolling Riau Island waters by Malaysian police. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party says that Malaysia is overreacting by issuing the travel warning, saying it will only escalate the border dispute.  “If we threaten one another, then the situation between the two countries will not cool down,” Democratic Party deputy secretary-general Saan Mustopa said in Jakarta on Thursday.

Your comments:

Is Indonesia’s problem that the travel warning was unwarranted or that they don’t like travel warnings even when they are warranted.
The way I see it, and I am only a layman, is that Indonesia was very angry at recent events and that
there was quite a lot of public anger, including mob protests (no real organization, just angry people) where they made threatening remarks and actions.
I think the public, and the lack of Indonesian government reaction to the anger of the public, probably warrants a warning. Not a ban or a restriction — just a warning.
Australia warned people about the threat of terrorism in Indonesia after the Bali bombings. Indonesia was very upset and kept asking Australia to remove the warning. Eventually, Australia did and there were the Marriot bombings. Australians died.
Of course, the warning won’t stop the bombings, or people coming to Indonesia. The warnings are there so the Malaysian and Australian governments can say to their citizens who are victims of violence or crime “we warned you, so don’t blame us or force us to help you out”.
Iain
Jakarta

Unresolved territorial disputes in Southeast Asia are big hindrances to the full realization of the ASEAN Community in 2015.
The looming disputes between Indonesia and Malaysia are just
one of these many unresolved border and territorial disputes in ASEAN.
Many more, such as Thailand’s border disputes with both Vietnam and Cambodia, and the dormant Philippines’ claims over resource-rich Sabah in North Borneo, are potential flash points can could affect bilateral ties between the two neighbors, despite Malaysia’s mediating role in peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Organization.
Still more problematic is the overlapping claims over the Spratly group of islands and islets. One cannot discount Brunei’s historical ownership of much of present-day Borneo.
Unless resolved amicably and satisfactorily, all these present gargantuan hurdles to ASEAN. Whenever it may be, these disputes are bound to surface sooner or later.
Bab
Dhaka
 
It is time that Malaysians respect our borders and our people. They like to talk about our workers (TKI), but our TKI is building Malaysia’s infrastructure.
Having said that, maybe it is time for Malaysians to treat the TKIs better, rather than abusing them.
Ramli
Kuala Lumpur

O Mankind! We created you from a single pair, a male and a female, and made you into nations
and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other).
Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). (Koran: Al-Hujraat: 13)
Syed
Kuala Lumpur
 
First of all, this is a very important border issue. I think it is natural for the people of our country to get upset when borders are being crossed and land claimed. Keep in mind that Malaysians historically have been very successful at “stealing” our borders.
Ambalat is an example, and a good one. They also claim our culture and heritage such as batik, etc. Unfortunately for them, they lack a cultural heritage (a good reason to steal ours, right?)
Our government should stand firm and resolve this matter as swiftly as possible. What is needed are tough negotiations.
Conor
Jakarta

You are correct, Conor. It is Indonesians who build our infrastructure, so that they can send home money to feed their families.
Irwan
Kuala Lumpur
 
It’s amazing how people perceive what is right and what is wrong! Ask any Malaysian and he would say Indonesia was 100 percent in the wrong, but in Indonesia, they would say Malaysia was. Please let sense prevail, especially in the fasting month.
Superam
Semenyih, Malaysia