SBY to speak of border incident

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will speak about the government’s response to the recent border incident which has sparked yet another campaign against Malaysia.

The president said Tuesday he would explain the government’s formal stance in connection with the dispute after breaking of the fast meal at the Indonesian Military Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta on Wednesday.

Yudhoyono said he took the initiative as controversy over the arrest of three Indonesian fishery and maritime officers by Malaysian police in the Riau Islands waters did not die down despite explanations from Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto.

“Through my explanation, I really want to put the issue in the right context. I wish to call on the public to stay cool and act rationally. I will also underline our firm and non-compromising policy when it comes to sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the president said.

Yudhoyono added that he would encourage Malaysia to show seriousness in negotiating its maritime border with Indonesia and maintain good relationship between the two neighbors, which the president said had mutually benefited both parties.

Indonesia and Malaysia will hold a joint ministerial commission meting on Sept. 6 in Kinabalu, Malaysia to discuss various issues, including the border dispute. “The focus is most likely the border issue. It may be related to the recent incident or other border issues,” Marty said.